Liverpool appear to be going head-to-head with Bayern Munich for more than one manager this summer.
With both clubs set to have managerial vacancies come the end of the season, groundwork is being laid to secure their top choices. Unfortunately, they seem to have the same idea. Liverpool and Bayern are reportedly set to engage in a ‘crazy battle’ to land Xabi Alonso.
However, there’s no guarantee that either will have Alonso at the helm next season. There still remains a distinct possibility that the Spaniard continues his work at Bayer Leverkusen, shunning both his former sides.
If that eventually transpires, then Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is seemingly a top choice for the German giants, as well as Liverpool.
Liverpool should leave Roberto De Zerbi to Bayern
Reporting on X today, German journalist Florian Plettenberg claimed that De Zerbi is Bayern’s ‘top candidate’ in case Alonso stays at Leverkusen.
“Roberto De Zerbi, top candidate for FC Bayern in case Xabi Alonso stays at Bayer 04 Leverkusen!” says Plettenberg.
“De Zerbi is aware of Bayern’s interest but is currently fully focused on the season finale with Brighton. That’s why he’s not in negotiations with any other club either. Not with Bayern, Barcelona, or any other club. However, Bayern‘s clear plan A remains Alonso!”
From a Liverpool point of view, if they can’t get Alonso either, then they should be absolutely fine with leaving De Zerbi to the Bundesliga champions. There’s a far better option who should jump straight to the top of their list instead.
Ruben Amorim should be Liverpool’s top alternative
There is a quite legitimate school of thought that Ruben Amorim should in fact be Liverpool’s outright top managerial target anyway. The 39-year-old has far more experience than Alonso and has won trophies across multiple seasons.
Nobody can deny that what Xabi has achieved at Leverkusen since arriving has been phenomenal, with this season potentially legendary. But he’s still got plenty to prove as a coach.
So too does Amorim, of course. The Sporting manager is yet to take charge in one of Europe’s top leagues and hasn’t set the world alight in Europe. He’d possibly feel like a slightly more ready-made package than Alonso, though.
Certainly when it comes to De Zerbi, Amorim should be considered as being in a different stratosphere.
The Italian is a very good coach, there’s no question of that. However, his first full season at Brighton has shown that he is not at the level required at Liverpool. If Bayern are pushing hard for him then the Reds should drop their attention entirely and focus it on Amorim.
As a young coach standing out in the game, the former Portugal international has been described as ‘tremendous’ by Paulo Meneses, Braga’s head of recruitment [The Athletic]. If he doesn’t join Liverpool, you can bet he’ll eventually end up at one of their Premier League rivals. The Reds can avoid that – and negate a tricky tussle with Bayern – by making him their new Alonso alternative.
