[ad_1]
Xabi Alonso’s former Bayern Munich team-mate Bastian Schweinsteiger believes it’s the Spaniard’s ‘big dream’ to take over the reins from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool in the summer.
Last month, Klopp sent shockwaves around the football world as he announced that he would be stepping down as manager of Liverpool at the end of the season after nine trophy-laden years at the helm.
The 56-year-old will undoubtedly be remembered as an all-time Anfield great after transforming the club’s fortunes and steering them to seven trophies across his extraordinary tenure.
Klopp has cited a lack of ‘energy’ as one of the reasons behind his decision, but the former Borussia Dortmund boss will be desperate to bow out on a high, with the Reds battling for major silverware on four fronts this term.
Liverpool’s hierarchy, looking to the future, have begun drawing up a shortlist of managerial candidates who could come in and fill the humungous shoes the German is set to leave behind on Merseyside.
The likes of Roberto De Zerbi, Julian Nagelsmann and Ruben Amorim have all been mooted as possible options for the job, but ex-Liverpool midfielder Alonso – a hero of Istanbul in 2005 – is the currently bookmakers’ favourite to take charge.
Alonso has taken to management like a duck to water, with his unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen side sitting pretty at the top of the Bundesliga table, two points better off than champions Bayern Munich.
Speaking to German publication ARD, Schweinsteiger, who won the Bundesliga title playing alongside Alonso at Bayern in 2014/15, said he could see his former team-mate becoming Liverpool head coach in the summer.
‘I know Xabi and I think his big dream is to coach Liverpool,’ the ex-Bayern, Manchester United and Germany midfielder said.
‘I can already imagine that it could be this summer that he is going to Liverpool.’
While Alonso is understood to be open to the prospect of replacing Klopp, he refused to be drawn into the speculation when quizzed on the recent rumours last month.
‘Speculation is normal but my focus is Bayer Leverkusen,’ the 2010 World Cup winner told reporters in the wake of Klopp’s shock announcement.
‘I am very happy right now with my players in Leverkusen. Of course, Jurgen Klopp’s departure from Liverpool was a big surprise. I have great respect and admiration for what he did.’
Asked if he could rule out being Liverpool’s next manager, Alonso replied: ‘Honestly, I don’t have a direct answer. I’m happy here right now, that’s for sure, and only thinking about Leverkusen.’
Cesc Fabregas, Alonso’s former team-mate with Spain, feels his fellow countryman has the ‘right mentality’ to manage a club of Liverpool’s stature.
‘He’s a very intelligent guy,’ the ex-Arsenal, Chelsea and Spain midfielder told the BBC’s Planet Premier League podcast.
‘He’s been up there. He’s done it all and he knows the standards that are being set at Liverpool. The crowd love him and also I think he’s a really good coach. He’s got good ideas.
‘Maybe he plays slightly differently but I think he’s got adaptability. I saw him around when he was the coach of Real Sociedad B, then now at Bayer Leverkusen.’
Fabregas added: ‘He does different things. He’s capable of adapting to the situation and to different types of players he’s got and he’s got the right mentality.
‘He’s young, but the good thing about him is that he’s got very clear ideas. He’s an intelligent, stable guy and has the right personality.
‘So it’s a big shout, but I agree that he [would be] able to do it.’
MORE : Ed Woodward responds to claims he vetoed Manchester United transfer ‘for commercial reasons’
MORE : Cesc Fabregas rates Arsenal’s Premier League title chances after statement win over Liverpool
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
[ad_2]