- Xabi Alonso has reportedly been targeted by both Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
- The latest development on his future is a significant setback for his suitors.
Liverpool seem poised to abandon their pursuit of Xabi Alonso as a successor to Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, with the Spanish coach expected to remain at Bayer Leverkusen.
With Klopp’s upcoming departure, Liverpool is in search of a new manager for the first time since 2015. The club aimed to finalize its footballing structure before shifting focus to finding a replacement for Klopp. Recently, they promoted Michael Edwards to a higher position than before and brought in Richard Hughes.
Next on the to-do list is finding a head coach, but it appears unlikely to be Alonso.
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The Times has reported that Liverpool conducted due diligence, indicating that Alonso is inclined to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for at least another season.
The 42-year-old has Bayer Leverkusen on the brink of their first-ever Bundesliga title, holding a ten-point lead over Bayern Munich with only eight games left in the campaign.
Instead of expending valuable time and energy trying to persuade Alonso, Liverpool are now expected to shift their focus to different options. Bayern Munich had also shown interest in Alonso as a replacement for Thomas Tuchel, who is set to depart this summer. However, honorary president Uli Hoeness has communicated a similar defeatist stance to Liverpool.
“It will be difficult, if not probably impossible [to hire Alonso]. He is more inclined to stay at Bayer Leverkusen in view of their current successes, because he would not want to leave them behind,”
The Bayern chief explained to Das Erste in Germany.
Liverpool had included Alonso among serious contenders on their seven-strong managerial shortlist alongside Roberto De Zerbi, Julian Nagelsmann, and Ange Postecoglou. However, with an approach now deemed unlikely, it could alter the situation and possibly enhance Ruben Amorim’s chances.
The Portuguese, currently in charge at Sporting CP, is highly regarded by the Anfield hierarchy. However, his lack of experience managing in one of Europe’s top five leagues had previously been a factor working against him.
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