Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp's shock departure has left the Reds scrambling to find a suitable replacement
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Liverpool have identified their top target to replace Jurgen Klopp as manager at the end of the season and moves are underway to seal a deal, according to reports.
Klopp’s exit will end a trophy-laden nine-year spell on Merseyside in which he led them to Premier League and Champions League titles.
Speculation around who will succeed him in the role has been flying ever since, but French outlet Foot Mercato claims that the Reds have made their first move to finding a new boss.
Liverpool are aiming for more trophies in Klopp's final season (Image credit: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Bayer Leverkusen manager and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has been contacted by the Reds hierarchy, according to the report.
The Merseyside head honchos have been at work looking for a suitable replacement since learning of Klopp’s decision in November, and have made Alonso their top target.
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Alonso's Leverkusen are aiming for a sensational Bundesliga title (Image credit: Getty Images)
The former playmaker spent five years on Merseyside from 2004-2009, winning the Champions League in 2004/05 as well as FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup titles.
Now 42, Alonso joined Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022 after his first spell in coaching as boss of Real Sociedad’s B team.
Alonso took over a side sitting second-bottom in the Bundesliga and led them to sixth place and the Europa League semi-finals.
Leverkusen sit top of the Bundesliga table after 20 games, two points clear of Bayern – who they face at home on Saturday in a momentous date for the title race.
Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.
