Klopp Backs Xabi Alonso To Replace Him And Labels Rivals ‘Dinosaurs’

Jurgen Klopp claims Xabi Alonso will lead a new wave of managers to take over from his “dinosaur” generation in an endorsement for his Liverpool position.

After nine trophy-filled years, the German declared in a shocking video that he would be leaving in the summer. Alonso is seen as the front-runner to succeed Klopp in the Reds dugout. He comes from a family of coaches and was coached by Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, and Carlo Ancelotti during his playing career. After 16 months, he moved Bayer Leverkusen from the Bundesliga’s worst spot to a five-point lead, prompting Klopp to praise the Spaniard highly.

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The current Liverpool boss told reporters on Friday: “Xabi is doing an incredible job. If there would not be the rumours around, that’s ­completely independent. If you would have asked me eight weeks ago about Xabi Alonso I would have gone: ‘Oh my God.’ The dinosaurs if you want – Ancelotti, Mourinho, Guardiola, maybe me – we will not do it for the next 20 years. OK, maybe Mourinho will. The next generation is already there and I would say Xabi is standout in that department.

“Former world-class player, from a coaching family as well which helps a little, he was like a coach already when he was playing. The football he is playing, the teams he sets up, the transfers he did, it is absolutely exceptional. I played a long time in the Bundesliga and it is super impressive. Not only the points tally but the way they play. He has super signings for this team, exactly what they needed, and that’s really a very special job.”

Many have speculated that club veteran Mohamed Salah, who had a stellar career with the Reds, may be going soon now that Klopp’s departure has been officially announced. As Kylian Mbappe approaches the exits at Parc des Princes, there have been rumours that he is going to sign with Liverpool instead. But Klopp played down those rumours, adding: “Obviously I am not involved in that but I can tell you that I would be surprised. It would be tricky for most of the top clubs I know – [because of] wages, signing fee.”

Liverpool has recently had to contend with injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Domonik Szoboszlai in addition to the long-term absences of Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago Alcantara. Alisson also missed the trip to Brentford on Saturday due to a hamstring strain sustained during training.