A report claims that Liverpool have made an approach for Xabi Alonso making him the bookmakers’ strong favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. The Reds are said to have made their move for the Bayer Leverkusen manager. Meanwhile, Manchester United are on “high alert” after Roony Bardghji reportedly made a decision not to sign a new contract with Copenhagen, and Jorginho’s rich vein of form is set to land him a new contract at Arsenal.
Alonso, who has guided the unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga table, is the bookmakers’ strong favourite to take over at Anfield when Jurgen Klopp steps down at the end of the season.
The article reads: “Xabi Alonso has been touted as Liverpool’s next manager for months – and the Reds have now made the first move for their former midfield maestro.
German outlet Bild now indicate that Liverpool have made an approach for Alonso. And It is mentioned that the Reds have made contact with his agent, Inaki Ibanez, in an attempt to bring him back to Anfield.
A little About Xabi Alonso
Xabier Alonso Olano, born 25 November 1981 is a Spanish professional football manager and former player who is currently the head coach of Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. Regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, he is also considered one of the most promising young managers in the world at the moment.
Alonso began his career at Real Sociedad, the main team of his home province Gipuzkoa. After a brief loan period at Eibar, he was appointed as team captain of Real Sociedad by then-manager John Toshack. He succeeded in the role, taking the club to second place in the 2002–03 season. He moved to Liverpool in August 2004 for £10.5 million and won the UEFA Champions League in his first season, under manager Rafael BenÃtez, scoring the equalizing goal in the Final against Milan. The following season, he won the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield.
He moved to Real Madrid for the start of the 2009–10 season in a deal worth around £30 million. After winning honours including a league title in 2012 and the Champions League in 2014 during five seasons in Madrid, he was signed by German club Bayern Munich on a two-year contract. This was extended by a further year, and he eventually retired from playing in summer 2017, aged 35, having won the Bundesliga in each of his three seasons with Bayern.
He made his international debut for Spain in April 2003 in a 4–0 victory against Ecuador. While playing for Spain, Alonso won Euro 2008, Euro 2012 and the 2010 World Cup, and he also represented his country at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. On 23 June 2012, Alonso won his 100th cap for Spain in the quarter-final of Euro 2012 against France; he celebrated the occasion by scoring both of Spain’s goals to send them into the semi-finals. Following Spain’s failure to progress out of the group stages at the 2014 World Cup, Alonso retired from international football on 27 August 2014. His 114 caps make him the eighth-most capped player in the nation’s history.
But while Alonso is the red-hot favourite to succeed Klopp, the same report outlines that Leverkusen are relaxed about the situation. They expected interest in Alonso given the fine job he has done at the club and there is hope internally that he will choose to stay.
Intriguingly, another of Alonso’s former clubs in Bayern Munich are also lurking in the background. Leverkusen’s title rivals have already confirmed they will part company with Thomas Tuchel at the end of the campaign and Alonso is their No.1 target.
With Leverkusen looking a safe bet for Champions League football next term, there is a chance Alonso could decide to snub both clubs and stay put. However, a return to Liverpool has always been part of his long-term plan.
Source: www.eurosport.com , www.wikipedia.com
