Xabi Alonso Refuses To Rule Out Anfield Return To Succeed Jurgen Klopp 

Bayer Leverkusen Boss, Xabi Alonso refused to rule out an Anfield return to succeed the departing Jurgen Klopp while responding to links with the Liverpool managerial role.

The Reds board is now compelled to look for a new leader for the team after the German shockingly announced on Friday that he will be leaving his role at the conclusion of the season. Alonso’s achievements with Bayer Leverkusen this season have made him the front-runner to succeed Klopp. The Basque played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s mid-2000s metamorphosis and was the focal point of Rafael Benitez’s winning team in 2005 during their historic night in Istanbul.

READ ALSO: Why I Made Shock Decision To Quit Liverpool – Klopp

When Alonso was asked if he could rule out becoming the next Liverpool manager, he said: “That’s a direct question! I don’t have a direct answer. I’m happy here right now, that’s for sure, and only thinking about Leverkusen.”

On the shock of Klopp’s departure, he added: “I was surprised by Jurgen’s news. I have huge respect for Jurgen and Liverpool. At the moment I am really happy here and enjoying my work. Each day and game is a challenge. We are on an intense and beautiful journey here at Leverkusen.”

With 18 games played, Alonso and the German team are leading the title by four points over Bayern Munich. They have been playing fantastic football. They are still going strong in the DFB-Pokal and are undefeated in the league. On the continent, Leverkusen won all of their games and finished first in their Europa League group.

Back in 2012, when he was still at Borussia Dortmund, Klopp became the last manager to deny Bayern Munich the Bundesliga championship. In excess of ten years, Alonso is poised to reclaim Klopp’s role and end the Bavarian domination.

Although Alonso is still the choice to succeed Klopp, Real Madrid may try to entice him away if Carlo Ancelotti is asked to leave Santiago Bernabeu. Though the Italian wrote a postponement to conclude exit negotiations, if Los Blancos don’t win anything by May, things in the Spanish capital might soon alter.