Liverpool navigated the failure to land Jude Bellingham expertly last summer. But FSG cannot repeat that in their manager search, with Xabi Alonso the standout.
The race for Xabi Alonso is on. In managerial terms, the former Liverpool midfielder is still in his infancy, but he has quickly become the most sought-after man on the planet.
Xabi Alonso hype has reached fever pitch over the past few weeks. After his Bayer Leverkusen side mauled Bayern Munich, the perennial Bundesliga champion, they’ve maintained their unbeaten record this season and even extended their advantage at the top of the table to eight points.
In truth, most Liverpool fans did not need any more convincing. But anyone who was still even vaguely on the fence must now be sure of the perfect Jürgen Klopp heir.
One can only hope the FSG hierarchy has reached a similar conclusion. Liverpool has been running the numbers on suitable successors since Klopp communicated his decision privately in November, but this is one area where the data cannot give them an edge: Alonso’s status as the most exciting up-and-coming managerial talent in Europe is glaringly obvious to just about every observer.
In that sense, there are parallels to the pursuit of Jude Bellingham, albeit this time in the dugout rather than on the pitch. Liverpool was among the earliest to recognize his incredible potential, but when the time came to plot a transfer, FSG had been joined by all of the usual big boys in their willingness to push the boat out.
In the end, Real Madrid won the battle, and has been reaping handsome rewards this season. FSG will feel it navigated the situation well, with the Liverpool rebuild still suitably impressive that it has Klopp’s side back at the top of the Premier League.
But there can be no entertaining the idea of letting Alonso slip away in the same manner. FSG must now throw absolutely everything at making him the next Liverpool manager.
Unlike in the midfield, Liverpool cannot sign multiple new managers to collectively replicate the impact Alonso would have. FSG only get one shot at a new coach. Moreover, the talent pool is smaller — Bellingham admittedly stood head and shoulders above the rest, but the club always knew he was one of many promising talents, whereas the Bayer Leverkusen boss sticks out by a country mile.
Who would Liverpool get if not Alonso? There are a few names floating around, like Roberto De Zerbi and Rúben Amorim, but these do not generate anything like the same excitement. If push came to shove, they might make a success of it at Anfield, but the Reds’ former midfield general has been the first to truly mark his credentials as part of the next generation of super-coaches.
Much like with the Bellingham saga, Liverpool may need to be wary of interest elsewhere. Bayern, another of Alonso’s former clubs, now looks to be firmly in the hunt, and posing a major threat to the Reds’ chances.
According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, both clubs have now made contact with Alonso’s representatives. With Thomas Tuchel departing the Allianz Arena at the end of the season, the Spaniard is said to be the desired replacement.
Alonso himself has refused to be drawn on the speculation, but there’s no denying that he’s now a wanted man. FSG needs to realize this is more important than any transfer.
There’s reason to be hopeful that the Liverpool owners will understand that reality. After all, while they have been criticized at times for their transfer market approach, FSG did not hesitate to sign Klopp all those years ago. That was a marquee appointment of real intent, and the Americans have since done everything in their power to keep him in place, ultimately yielding the third-longest current managerial stint in the EFL.
Alonso does not boast quite the same track record that Klopp had when he joined in 2015, but he is equally clear of the pack as the standout candidate for Liverpool to hire. FSG must make sure that this saga plays out differently to the pursuit of Bellingham.
