Jürgen Klopp has praised Xabi Alonso, who is a top candidate to replace him at Liverpool, stating that the Bayer Leverkusen coach is the standout among the up-and-coming managers.
Alonso is the top contender to take over as Liverpool’s manager this summer. In just 16 months, he led Leverkusen from second to last place in the Bundesliga to a five-point lead at the top. His team, led by the 42-year-old, has also made it to the semi-finals of the German Cup and the Europa League in their first season. Additionally, they dominated Bayern Munich with a 3-0 win in their most recent match.
Klopp, who again distanced Liverpool from any move for Kylian Mbappé, said his appraisal of Alonso was not connected to the impending vacancy at Anfield. He has said he is not involved in the search for his successor but it is inconceivable that the owner, Fenway Sports Group, would overlook Klopp’s effusive praise of the club’s former midfielder.
Klopp praised Xabi’s remarkable performance, stating that the rumors surrounding him have no influence on his abilities. Eight weeks ago, Klopp admits he would have been surprised to hear of Xabi’s success. He also acknowledges that older coaches like Ancelotti, Mourinho, Guardiola, and himself may not continue coaching for another 20 years, but Mourinho may still do so. The next generation of coaches is already emerging and Xabi stands out in that group.
He was a world-renowned player and comes from a family of coaches, giving him an advantage. Even during his playing days, he had a coaching mindset. His style of football, the way he sets up his teams, and the transfers he made are exceptional. As someone who has played in the Bundesliga for a long time, I am highly impressed. Not only do they have a high point tally, but their style of play is also impressive. It’s rare for a team to outshine Bayern Munich, as was the case with Leverkusen in their first game against them. When we beat Bayern at Dortmund, it was mostly due to good defending and counterattacks. However, Leverkusen was clearly the better side. This was unexpected, especially considering the short amount of time he had been with the team and their young age. He made excellent signings that fit perfectly with the team’s needs, making it a remarkable job.
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“Leverkusen has a high likelihood of winning the cup. Among the teams competing in the Europa League, Leverkusen is considered a top contender, making this season a promising one for them. It’s quite exciting.”
Klopp recognized that Alonso’s quick success at Leverkusen was his most remarkable skill as a manager thus far.
“He commented on the impressive speed and cohesion of his team. He has clearly made his mark in a short amount of time. It’s unclear if this style of play is his preferred approach or if it suits this particular team, as he is relatively new to the industry. However, his coaching abilities are exceptional, that much is evident.”
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Mbappé’s departure from Paris Saint-Germain this summer has sparked rumors of a potential transfer to Liverpool, despite the high cost and likelihood of the French player joining Real Madrid. According to Klopp, the striker’s price tag will be too steep for most clubs, including Liverpool. When asked about the rumors of a move to Real Madrid, Klopp stated that he has no information on the matter. He also mentioned that it would be difficult for other top clubs to compete for Mbappé due to the high wages and signing fee involved.
Unfortunately, Alisson will not be able to join Liverpool’s journey to Brentford this Saturday due to a hamstring injury sustained during training.
Source: theguardian.com
