Klopp’s successor won’t be Alonso…”won’t leave Leverkusen this summer” prediction
With Jürgen Klopp stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of the 2023-24 season, there has been a lot of speculation about who will replace him, with Xabi Alonso being one of the favorites, but it doesn’t look like it will be easy, at least not this summer.
“Leverkusen are aware that Alonso is on Liverpool’s list,” Florian Plettenberg of Germany’s Sky Sports reported on Sunday. However, they remain optimistic at this stage and do not expect Alonso to leave the club.”
“There is one reason for this. Alonso is already fully integrated into our plans and we are building the squad for the 2024-25 season. Furthermore, his contract is valid until 2026.”
The news came as a shock. Klopp, who has overseen Liverpool’s revival, has decided to leave at the end of the season. “Jurgen Klopp has informed the club that he wishes to leave the club at the end of the summer. He will therefore step down as manager at the end of the season.”
Since his arrival in 2015, Klopp has turned a faltering Liverpool into one of Europe’s most dominant teams. He won numerous trophies. He has won one Premier League title, one English FA Cup, one English Football League Cup, one Community Shield, one Champions League title, one European Super Cup, and one Club World Cup.
Klopp’s existing contract runs until June 2026, and he said of his sudden decision to hang up his boots: “I made this decision because I am convinced it is the right thing to do. My energy is depleted. I know I can’t go on and on and on,” he explained.
I’m going to take a break for a while, and I’ll return to coaching when I’ve regained enough energy. I’ve made a promise, I’m not going to go to another Premier League club.
Liverpool need to find a manager for next season immediately, and Alonso was one of the first names mentioned. Alonso has a long history with the club and was part of the ‘Miracle in Istanbul’.
Liverpool and Real Madrid are among the clubs interested in Alonso, but Leverkusen are confident. Plettenbecker doesn’t see himself going to Liverpool this summer. The Reds may have to look for a new manager altogether.
