Xabi Alonso speaks out on succeeding Jurgen Klopp
Xabi Alonso has responded to being linked with a return to Liverpool to succeed Jurgen Klopp after the Reds boss announced he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Klopp’s shock announcement on Friday morning caught everyone – including Alonso – off-guard, but attention has quickly turned to who could replace him.
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Alonso, who played for Liverpool from 2004 to 2009, has emerged as the early favourite for the job after leading Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga this season.
He has insisted he is ‘very happy’ at his current club, but refused to rule out a future move to Anfield.
‘I have huge respect and admiration for Jurgen. I was very surprised. My focus is Leverkusen,’ Alonso said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Leverkusen’s Bundesliga clash with Borussia Monchengladbach tomorrow.
‘At the moment I am really happy here. I still have a big motivation and I am very happy with the club and the team.
‘I don’t know what’s gonna happen in the future. I don’t really care at the moment.’
Alonso is only in his first full season of senior management, but has already made a huge impact at Leverkusen.
After taking over the club when they were second-bottom in October 2022, Alonso guided them to a sixth-placed finish last season, and the team have become one of Europe’s standout clubs this term.
Leverkusen are unbeaten in 27 games across all competitions – winning 24 – and have opened up a four-point lead over Bayern Munich at the top of the table.
READ ALSO Liverpool come from behind to beat Fulham in EFL Cup semifinal 1st leg
Alonso is now involved in his first title race as a manager, which could hold him in good stead if he does take over from Klopp, given Liverpool fans expect their side to be challenging for major honours every season.
Liverpool are also well-placed to give Klopp the perfect farewell this season as they sit top of the Premier League, five points clear of Manchester City, albeit having played a game more than their rivals.