Liverpool have suffered a major setback in their search for Jurgen Klopp’s long-term successor, with Xabi Alonso unlikely to feature on their final managerial shortlist.
The Times reports that the fast-rising tactician is anticipated to remain with German pacesetters Bayer Leverkusen for at least one more season before taking on a high-profile job.
Alonso has a contract with Die Werkself until the summer of 2026, so the Germans would have demanded a compensation fee to let their managerial gem leave the club.
While his buy-out fee wouldn’t have caused any significant problems for Liverpool, the Reds are now forced to look elsewhere for Klopp’s successor, with Alonso leaning towards staying at BayArena.
The 42-year-old’s future at Leverkusen has been under the microscope for much of the season after his brilliant work that has Die Werkself on the brink of an inaugural Bundesliga title.
Liverpool are long-standing admirers of his work, and Alonso was heavily tipped to take the soon-to-be-available job after Klopp rocked Anfield by announcing his decision to leave at the end of the season.
While Alonso was considered by many as a perfect successor to Klopp, he isn’t the only exciting name on Liverpool’s shortlist, with Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Roberto De Zerbi also in the mix.
Liverpool have employed a data-based approach to scour the market for the most suitable candidates, but the final decision will be made by the club’s new chief of football and sporting director.
After Klopp’s mind-boggling declaration, Liverpool have moved swiftly to recapture the services of former sporting director Michael Edwards in a much higher role as the club’s chief of football.
The Reds have also appointed ex-Bournemouth talent spotter Richard Hughes as sporting director, and the pair now have the most difficult task of the summer in finding Klopp’s successor.
De Zerbi will get his chance to audition for the job when his Brighton side take on Klopp’s Liverpool at Anfield this weekend, while Amorim has plenty of admirers across Europe after a trophy-laden spell with Sporting.
