Xabi Alonso remains the “leading candidate” to replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager this season, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The Reds still have the unenviable job of finding a successor for Klopp at the end of the season, following his shock resignation back in January.
Since then, Alonso has stood out as the front-runner to be the next manager at Anfield, as he continues to do an incredible job at Bayer Leverkusen.
The 42-year-old has inspired his side to a 10-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga over Bayern Munich, as they close in on a special achievement.
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs claimed that Alonso is still in pole position to take charge at Liverpool, with incoming sporting director Richard Hughes potentially playing a key role in getting him:
“Liverpool have built their executive leadership team now, of which naturally, Edwards and Hughes are a big part. The next step is the managerial search rather than any more senior executives coming in. I think that it’s clear that Xabi Alonso remains the leading candidate for Liverpool.
“But Ruben Amorim has scored very highly on the data research that they’ve done. Perhaps the slight advantage of Hughes is that Alonso’s agent is the same as Andoni Iraolo. However, I wouldn’t read too much into that because Alonso is his own man and will make his own decisions rather than the agent pushing him in any direction. But it’s just worth noting that link on the side.”
Our thoughts on the Alonso latest at Liverpool…
At this point, it would be such a surprise if Alonso didn’t end up at Liverpool this season, with so many positives working in his favour.
Not only is he standing out as one of Europe’s most exciting young managers, but his past with the Reds is an added bonus, with the Spaniard understanding the pressure and values of what it takes to succeed at the club.
Admittedly, Alonso is far from the only strong candidate out there, with the likes of Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi also intriguing options, but most Liverpool fans will surely be pining after their former midfield hero after Klopp goes.
