Reportedly, Liverpool might find themselves compelled to shell out a sum nearing the global record for managerial acquisition if they intend to entice Xabi Alonso to join Anfield in the upcoming summer transfer window. This comes in the wake of Jurgen Klopp’s announcement earlier this year about his departure from the managerial helm at the conclusion of the ongoing season, following an illustrious tenure spanning eight and a half memorable years on Merseyside.
Klopp’s legacy at Liverpool is indelible, marked by the conquest of seven major titles thus far, including the recent triumph in the EFL Cup. As he steers the team towards vying for success in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Europa League, he aims to bid adieu to the club on a triumphant note.
While numerous eminent figures have been linked to potentially fill Klopp’s shoes, Bayer Leverkusen’s head coach, Xabi Alonso, emerges as the primary candidate for the forthcoming 2024-25 campaign. Alonso, formerly a stalwart player for Liverpool from 2004 to 2009, accumulating 210 appearances and clinching four trophies, including the iconic 2005 Champions League victory, has since flourished into a promising young tactician in Europe during his tenure at Leverkusen.
Under Alonso’s guidance, Leverkusen has charted an extraordinary 34-game unbeaten streak across all competitions this season, a feat that stands as a German football record. Positioned comfortably atop the Bundesliga table, boasting a 10-point lead over perennial champions Bayern Munich with just 10 matches remaining, Leverkusen is also poised for success in the DFB-Pokal and the Europa League.
Despite Alonso’s contractual commitment with Leverkusen extending until June 2026, Liverpool faces an arduous task in attempting to allure him away from the German club. Sky Sports Deutschland, via The Mirror, suggests that Liverpool might need to allocate a staggering £21 million to secure Alonso’s services this summer, potentially setting a new precedent for managerial acquisition fees.
The existing managerial transfer record stands at £21.7 million, established when Bayern Munich acquired Julian Nagelsmann from RB Leipzig in 2021. Nagelsmann’s subsequent dismissal in March last year paved the way for Thomas Tuchel’s appointment. With Tuchel now set to depart following a lackluster 2023-24 campaign, Bayern’s interest in Alonso intensifies, although Feyenoord’s Arne Slot emerges as a plausible alternative.
In the event of Liverpool failing to enlist Alonso, alternatives such as Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Roberto De Zerbi, and Germany’s national team coach, Nagelsmann, could come under consideration for the Reds in the upcoming summer transfer window.