07 February 2024 , 19:10
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Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso has been told that whoever succeeds Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool is effectively setting themselves up to fail.
Alonso, 42, has emerged as the overwhelming favourite to succeed Klopp in the summer after the German announced that he would be standing down from his role as Liverpool manager at the end of the season.
After making over 200 appearances across a five-year spell at Liverpool, Alonso is already revered at Anfield and has gone on to establish himself as one of Europe's most exciting young coaches at Leverkusen, who are currently unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season and on course to win their first German title.
However, Alonso has been warned off the Liverpool job by former teammate Glen Johnson, who is adamant that following Klopp is pretty much mission impossible.
Johnson told Betfred : "It's such a hard situation because any manager that goes in next is essentially putting their head in a guillotine. If they maintain the same level of success, people will say, ‘As you should do because you’ve inherited a great team in a good moment’, so they almost expect it. You’re potentially setting yourself up to fail.
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For this reason, I think this will put a lot of the big names off. It’s almost like the next manager will have to come in and take one for the team.”
Despite his concerns over the appointment in general, Johnson believes that Alonso's history with Liverpool would afford him the time and patience needed to try and build on the impressive work Klopp has done over the past eight years.
Join the debate! Do you think Alonso is the best option to replace Klopp? Let us know here.
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed he will be leaving Liverpool in the summer (Getty Images)He added: “Being an ex-legend of the club and a fan favourite will mean that Xabi’s given time. This doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s going to be successful, but I think the fans will have more patience with him.
“They will give him more leeway than they would with a manager that doesn’t already have an affiliation with the club. So from that side of it, I think it could be a good option.”
While it remains to be seen if Alonso would be interested in succeeding Klopp in the summer, Foot Mercato claim that the club have already made contact with their former midfielder as they attempt to gauge whether or not he would be attainable.