Jurgen Klopp‘s departure from Liverpool at the end of the season has sent shockwaves through soccer. “I understand it’s a shock for a lot of people, but I’m running out of steam,” said the German manager, bringing an early end to his successful era at Anfield.
The season is still alive… but on Merseyside they are already thinking about the future and are pining for Xabi Alonso, current Bayer Leverkusen coach, to replace Klopp.
“At the moment I am happy here and enjoying my job. I’m not thinking about the next step in my career. I’m thinking about where I am now and I’m enjoying it. Leverkusen is the right place. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future but it’s not important at the moment,” said the Basque coach, who was directly questioned on whether he will arrive at Anfield next season: “Honestly, I don’t have an answer. Right now I’m happy here and I’m only thinking about Bayer.”
The former Reds player is thriving at the BayArena after arriving last season. He saved them, got them into the Europa League (they finished sixth) and this season has taken them to the top.
Leverkusen lead the Bundesliga with a four-point advantage over Bayern Munich after the third-best first half of the season in the history of the competition (48 points).
They are also the only unbeaten team in Europe.They have not lost a single one of their 27 matches (24 wins and three draws). They have challenged Bavaria’s dominance in Germany… and has aroused the interest of their former teams.
Alonso renewed in August until 2026 with Leverkusen… although Bild noted that he would have an exit clause that he could activate to sign for Real Madrid, Bayern or Liverpool.
However, Fernando Carro, CEO of the German team, denied it: “He doesn’t have it but he doesn’t need it. We have a very good relationship with Xabi and he knows we are a serious club. We are not going to force anyone to stay. We want him to be happy with us. There is nothing on paper but sometimes agreements are not written and we know that if he needs something in the future we can talk about it.”
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