Topic: Xabi Alonso

[Yorkykopite]

So we're saying the Gerrard candidature is still alive?

[Angelius]

So we're saying the Gerrard candidature is still alive?

I think the key metric is whether the person improved as a result of the difficult circumstance. By that metric, Gerrard failed.

Or even if the metric is a certain amount of intellect and emotional intelligence, we can safely discount Gerrard!

Sorry Gerrard, I loved you as a player.

[demain]

I remember when Sami Hyypia began his coaching career at Leverkusen, he got them to finish 3rd and 4th before it all went off the rails. Didn't stop people from hoping he'd replace Rodgers.

There's a long way to go for Alonso before we can even think of him being a viable candidate for the Liverpool job, personally I hope and pray Klopp's here for the next 10 years and we don't get to even contemplate that possibility.

[GinKop]

Klopp is going to be irreplaceable in my opinion. We are going to have to seriously adjust our expectations when the time unfortunately comes.

Others might be equally good tacticians etc. but nobody who is going to bring the soul he has brought to this club.

And it's not just a "well they've played for the club, they'll get us" thing as we can clearly see with Gerrard, Fowler etc. Arguably two of my favourite ever players who I wouldn't want to see near even a coaching role back here.

Klopp's just different. I don't know how to explain it.

[Cracking Left Foot]

Klopp is going to be irreplaceable in my opinion. We are going to have to seriously adjust our expectations when the time unfortunately comes.

Others might be equally good tacticians etc. but nobody who is going to bring the soul he has brought to this club.

And it's not just a "well they've played for the club, they'll get us" thing as we can clearly see with Gerrard, Fowler etc. Arguably two of my favourite ever players who I wouldn't want to see near even a coaching role back here.

Klopp's just different. I don't know how to explain it.

This is a good point - Klopp has stamped his DNA through the club now, and when he does eventually leave, we're going to be facing the similar sort of task as Arsenal did when Wenger left, or when Ferguson left Man United.

I love Xabi, and he'd be my first choice to replace Klopp if he was to leave. But, at the same time, I fear for whoever's next in line, no matter how talented a manager they are.

[disgraced cake]

There was that claim a few months ago that he has a clause in his contract saying he can manage Liverpool/Madrid/Bayern, and while I'm not sure if it's 100% true I do think he'll want to manage all of them at some stage, possibly even Sociedad too where he already done well with their B side.

The job could be a bit much for him straight after Klopp goes, but if it happened one day I really wouldn't be surprised, I think he'll carry on doing well. For me now though he should stay at Leverkusen for at least another season beyond this, probably more. Interesting to see how they do in the Champions League next season and most importantly if they win a league title. This season might be the chance but they still have the German cup and Europa League too.

I think if he was to go to Real Madrid first it might be beneficial for him/us down the line. They don't really hold onto managers and I think Ancelotti will be their first manager in probably decades to see more than three straight seasons in charge, bare in mind he is the record CL winning manager too. Maybe he goes to Madrid for a couple of seasons and they boot him, who knows. I know it's probably one of the most coveted jobs in the game too but surely there's less appeal in managing a Bayern side who win at least one trophy every season without fail. Liverpool is a proper challenge, if he wants one, and I think he will.

[Black Bull Nova]

There are certain players that come along and are loved by Reds fans, it's not based on their achievements alone, Alonso is one of those (along with the likes of Hypia and Dalglish, obviously). Erik Meijier is loved more than some past players who achieved a great deal more so it's a certain quality in them as people and the connection they make.

[Sheer Magnetism]

I think if he was to go to Real Madrid first it might be beneficial for him/us down the line. They don't really hold onto managers and I think Ancelotti will be their first manager in probably decades to see more than three straight seasons in charge, bare in mind he is the record CL winning manager too. Maybe he goes to Madrid for a couple of seasons and they boot him, who knows. I know it's probably one of the most coveted jobs in the game too but surely there's less appeal in managing a Bayern side who win at least one trophy every season without fail. Liverpool is a proper challenge, if he wants one, and I think he will.

I think so too, and also because I've come to believe the best way to follow a legendary manager who leaves at the top is with continuity. We should promote someone from within who the players know and who knows the system and the club. You go for someone external if and when that doesn't work.

[Black Bull Nova]

I think if he was to go to Real Madrid first it might be beneficial for him/us down the line. They don't really hold onto managers and I think Ancelotti will be their first manager in probably decades to see more than three straight seasons in charge, bare in mind he is the record CL winning manager too. Maybe he goes to Madrid for a couple of seasons and they boot him, who knows. I know it's probably one of the most coveted jobs in the game too but surely there's less appeal in managing a Bayern side who win at least one trophy every season without fail. Liverpool is a proper challenge, if he wants one, and I think he will.

Trouble is when we lose Klopp that will be a big fall for us, we need someone who is not only good but get's us. By then we should know the first of those. If they are drawn in a 2 leg game in the Europa this year (or CL next year) he will see how admired he still is by our fans, that will make him think.

[jillcwhomever]

So we're saying the Gerrard candidature is still alive?

I haven't heard anyone recently say they want Gerrard as manager now.

[rscanderlech]

I haven't heard anyone recently say they want Gerrard as manager now.

So people have finally realised he was never a candidate. On Xabi Alonso, I say, let him get Real Madrid out of his system first.

[Libertine]

The contrast of this guy with those other two ex-midfielders.

https://twitter.com/bayer04_en/status/1748345468478734840

Football careers are temporary. Class is permanent.

[Yorkykopite]

The contrast of this guy with those other two ex-midfielders.

https://twitter.com/bayer04_en/status/1748345468478734840

Football careers are temporary. Class is permanent.

Indeed. Admirable in every way.

[GreatEx]

Bit of a tangent, but I note that Xabi is giving his press conference in English, as did Konate when returning to Leipzig in pre-season. Is this the done thing among foreign players in Germany, they just use English as the modern European lingua franca? Seems that players in La Liga are more likely to speak in the local lingo although I have no stats to back up any of this.

[Rusty]

Wonder if this thread might switch to the main board  in the summer…

[shook]

Wonder if this thread might switch to the main board  in the summer…

really hope so. Is obviously the best choice.

[Gili Gulu]

I fear he'd leave us for Real Madrid again at the first opportunity.

[Sheer Magnetism]

Bit early to speculate but I understand why people are. He probably is the best choice, they'll need to get someone popular in who knows the club, just so they have some leeway with the more overzealous fans.

[DelTrotter]

The only candidate for me. You have to have a certain personality to manage us as well the ability and he's got it as we already know but if anyone was in doubt watch his speech the other day.

Might be the best summer to get him too, Guardiola will I assume not leave, Utd and Chelsea are still shit, Ancelotti just signed a new deal (though granted that doesnt mean a lot there), Barca have no cash etc etc. Lose out now and there's the chance it never happens. Bayern will be looking but he'd choose us I think.

[disgraced cake]

In the ideal world where Klopp stayed he'd have gone to Madrid then Liverpool. As Gulu says above the alternative could happen and how could it ever be as relaxing?

The obvious shout is Alonso, I think he would be the dream out of this nightmare scenario. I really like Inzaghi at Inter Milan but Italians and Liverpool are a bit like oil and water.

I fear anyone not named Xabi Alonso as the club's next manager might be severely underwhelming for people. If it is him you might just retain some of the good energy, and if he gets a good start, well ...

[Red Beret]

I fear he'd leave us for Real Madrid again at the first opportunity.

Especially if he does well. Real Madrid is the reason we can't have nice things.

[rscanderlech]

“ According to a report by Sport BILD, Alonso, who signed a two-year contract extension with Leverkusen in August 2023 which runs until 2026, has a release clause for three specific clubs: Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.”

[disgraced cake]

Is there any way in which I can personally trigger that release clause?

[GinKop]

Klopp is going to be irreplaceable in my opinion. We are going to have to seriously adjust our expectations when the time unfortunately comes.

Others might be equally good tacticians etc. but nobody who is going to bring the soul he has brought to this club.

And it's not just a "well they've played for the club, they'll get us" thing as we can clearly see with Gerrard, Fowler etc. Arguably two of my favourite ever players who I wouldn't want to see near even a coaching role back here.

Klopp's just different. I don't know how to explain it.

...didn't realise "when the time unfortunately comes" would be a few weeks later.

[Kashinoda]

“ According to a report by Sport BILD, Alonso, who signed a two-year contract extension with Leverkusen in August 2023 which runs until 2026, has a release clause for three specific clubs: Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.”

That was rubbished by Leverkusen, the way they phrased it was that he has a gentlemen's agreement / understanding if these clubs came in.

[RedDeadRejection]

Is there any way in which I can personally trigger that release clause?

Sleep until June and hope its done when you wake up 🤣

[Garlicbread]

Love Xabi the player. But haven't watched too many of his games. How would his style of football match the players we got currently?

[Johnny B. Goode]

[Claire.]

Yeah, let's not.

[eddiedingle]

Had 2 very good seasons and 2 poor to average seasons with us if we are honest

[disgraced cake]

Nigel De Jong's challenge on him in the World Cup Final was perfectly executed

[Samie]

Tax Dodger!

[Dench57]

Prick, never liked him

[Yorkykopite]

Is Rossi ok?

[Henry Gale]

Tax Dodger!

No he isn't 

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Was never sold on him, too pally with Legohead as a kid.

[AndyMuller]

I think we were all guilty of romanticising him on here.

[eddiedingle]

Maybe he hasn't as much as affinity to the club as we thought

[thaddeus]

Maybe he hasn't as much as affinity to the club as we thought

Or maybe he's fully invested in the project he has at Leverkusen.

That said, if he takes the Real Madrid job next summer then he can do one.