Liverpool’s new manager search is set to ramp up over the coming weeks as the season draws to a close.
The Reds have publicly known that they’ve needed to replace Jurgen Klopp ever since the German announced his decision to leave in January.
In the months that have passed since then, Liverpool have been linked with all manner of coaches. As we move into the final stages of deliberation, there aren’t many candidates left.
One of the primary options is seemingly Ruben Amorim. The Sporting manager has been installed as the front-runner over recent days and you can see him being a success.
However, before Amorim, the runaway favourite was former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso. And according to a report today, the Reds came ever so close to getting their man.
What has been said about Xabi Alonso
Right from the moment Klopp announced his intention to leave Liverpool, Alonso was being tipped as his ideal heir.
The Spaniard has since underlined his credentials even further and looks set to win a first ever Bundesliga title for Bayer Leverkusen this weekend.
Already into the DFB Pokal final and looking good to at least reach the semis of the Europa League, Alonso could yet have one of the all-time great campaigns. Oh, and did we mention they’re still unbeaten?!
With a run like that, it’s easy to see why Liverpool – and Bayern Munich – were so keen to snatch Xabi away.
And according to Football Transfers, the 42-year-old was very close to being tempted. They claim that Alonso was ‘on the brink’ of a return to Liverpool before suddenly changing his mind.
That he did so was reportedly on the proviso that his brilliant team from this season is kept together over the summer. However, with Liverpool said to be interested in both Alejandro Grimaldo and Florian Wirtz, that may be easier said than done.
Will Xabi Alonso ever manage Liverpool
You can understand why the Liverpool job would have been tempting to Alonso this summer. But you can also understand why he decided that he wasn’t yet ready.
Although he has closed the door on a return to Anfield for the time being, it has been claimed that Alonso does still plan to manage Liverpool one day.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that it will happen. A lot of things have to line up for that to be on the table again. Maybe they never will again.
By the sounds of things it won’t be for lack of trying on Alonso’s part. Still, the job could have been his if he’d wanted it. Hopefully he doesn’t come to regret his change of heart.