28 February 2024 , 22:16
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Liverpool have made first contact over Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso, it has been claimed, but the Spaniard doesn't look like a slam dunk for replacing Jurgen Klopp.
When Klopp announced he would be leaving Anfield at the end of the season, Alonso's name quickly appeared on people's lips. The former midfielder spent a number of years with Liverpool during his playing career, winning the Champions League in 2005, and has masterminded a title charge in Germany this term.
Leverkusen are unbeaten all season, opening up a gap on challengers Bayern Munich while cruising to top spot in their Europa League group and booking their place in the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal. Another of his former clubs, Bayern, are also thought to be keen on the 42-year-old as they prepare for the departure of current boss Jurgen Klopp.
The third option, though, is Alonso staying put. Leverkusen are all but guaranteed Champions League football next term, and a desire to finish what he started in Germany could force Liverpool and Bayern to look elsewhere.
According to Bild (via The Express), Liverpool have already made contact with Alonso's agent Inaki Ibanez. The manager, however, is expected to stay put rather than making the move to the Premier League.
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Alonso still has two years remaining on his contract at Leverkusen. having taken over in October 2022. His first season in Germany saw him lift his team out of relegation danger and into Europe, where they made light work of a group containing Qarabag, Molde and Hacken.
Liverpool have other options in their sights, with suggestions Ruben Amorim and Julian Nagelsmann are being considered. Amorim has been working wonders with Sporting CP in Portugal, while former Bayern boss Nagelsmann is currently in charge of the German national team.
Would Xabi Alonso be smart to stay put? Have your say in the comments section
Leverkusen remain clear at the top of the Bundesliga after beating Mainz (Getty Images)Alonso was quizzed on his future ahead of Leverkusen's last game in the Bundesliga against Mainz. His team kept their unbeaten run with a 2-1 victory, with Robert Andrich delivering a second-half winner.
"Right now I am Bayer Leverkusen coach and that's certain," he said at the time. "Regarding the future, I have nothing new to say."
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes, meanwhile, has said he is "sure" Alonso will stay where he is. “One is contract constellations. The other thing is how comfortable he feels, the family, himself and that he knows what he has in the club," Rolfes told Sport1.
"He also has a very good team, we will have a very good perspective next year and there is no change in the team,” Rolfes added. Leverkusen sit eight points clear with 11 games remaining, after Bayern responded with a win of their own against RB Leipzig on Saturday.
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