The revelation of Jurgen Klopp’s impending departure from Liverpool at the end of the summer is a piece of news that will require considerable time for fans to process. As discussions surrounding Klopp’s exit take center stage, attention naturally shifts towards contemplating who could possibly step into the seemingly irreplaceable role.
Klopp, undoubtedly destined for the pantheon of legendary Liverpool managers, has left an indelible mark during his illustrious eight-and-a-half-year tenure. The German tactician steered the club to their historic first Premier League title in 2020, following a triumph in the Champions League the previous year. Departing Anfield with a cabinet full of elite club silverware, Klopp is now seeking a final hurrah, with Liverpool actively engaged in a title chase and a place secured in the Carabao Cup final.
Among the names surfacing as a potential successor is Xabi Alonso, a former Liverpool star who has garnered attention for his impressive 15-month stint at Bayer Leverkusen. Currently leading the Bundesliga title race by four points, Alonso boasts a 50% win record across his managerial spell.
Alonso is not the first ex-Liverpool hero linked to the managerial position. In 2021, Klopp himself praised Steven Gerrard, then the head coach of Aston Villa, acknowledging the promising work he had done at Rangers. Klopp boldly predicted Gerrard’s future in management, expressing confidence that the Liverpool legend would eventually take the reins at Anfield when the timing was right.
However, the landscape has shifted since those comments, with Gerrard parting ways with Villa in October 2022 before embarking on a managerial venture in Saudi Arabia in July. Despite these changes, the 43-year-old has recently committed to a long-term deal with Al-Ettifaq until 2027.
Clarifying his decision to step down as Liverpool manager, Klopp shared his deep affection for the club, the city, supporters, team, and staff. Despite his love for everything associated with Liverpool, Klopp emphasized that his departure is driven by a realization that he is running out of energy, acknowledging the necessity of taking this decisive step in the best interest of the club’s future.