Rio Ferdinand believes that Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso is the clear favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager this summer.
Jurgen Klopp stunned Liverpool fans on Friday, announcing that he is leaving Anfield at the end of the season.
The German has decided to take a break from football after spending more than eight years in the Anfield dugout.
Nobody really saw this coming and Klopp will leave as an absolute hero having brought the Premier League and Champions League back to Liverpool during his time at the club.
There is a real chance for Liverpool to add to Klopp’s trophy haul this season but the Reds hierarchy will already be looking at potential successors.
Rio Ferdinand backs Xabi Alonso for Liverpool job
There will no doubt be a number of names on Liverpool’s radar but one of the most popular suggestions is Xabi Alonso.
The Spaniard has an emotional connection to Liverpool having joined the club under Rafael Benitez back in 2004.
Alonso went on to rack up more than 200 appearances for Liverpool, winning a Champions League and an FA Cup during his time at the club.
Alonso moved on to Real Madrid in 2010 and has turned to coaching, first with the Real Madrid youth setup and then the Real Sociedad B team.
Bayer Leverkusen took a chance on Alonso in 2022 and their gamble has paid off as they sit top of the Bundesliga table with an unbeaten record this season.
Alonso is going for the Bundesliga title and his impressive work in Germany has made him a popular shout for the Liverpool job.
Pundit Rio Ferdinand has now offered his view, believing that Alonso is the clear favourite for the job right now.
Speaking on FIVE, Ferdinand suggested that Liverpool could build some hype by securing Alonso in advance of the end of the season.
Ferdinand feels that Alonso’s history at Liverpool and his style of play at Leverkusen make him the clear favourite, even if his lack of experience makes him something of a risk.
“If they announce quick, or before the end of the season, that Xabi Alonso is coming, and he’s just of the back of winning the German league with Leverkusen, unbeaten… whew,” said Ferdinand. “Whether he wins it or not though, Xabi Alonso, in this season, has done something that nobody has ever done in Germany halfway through.”
“He plays good football. Xabi Alonso because of the whole history, he’s played for the club, they love him there, the brand of football he’s playing. He’s only been in it a little while, which is the risk, he hasn’t got the experience,” he added when asked for his shortlist.
HITC Football understands that Alonso is the preferred options insider Liverpool when it comes to replacing Klopp.
Alonso would surely be tempted by a return to Anfield having spent so many great years there as a player but his full focus will be on winning a league title with Leverkusen.
Klopp joined Liverpool with a reputation for breaking Bayern Munich’s dominance of German football and Alonso could arrive in a similar way this summer.
The post 'They love him there': Rio Ferdinand backs 41-year-old manager to replace Klopp at Liverpool appeared first on HITC.
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