Jurgen Klopp says Xabi Alonso will lead a new wave of coaches who take over from his generation of ‘dinosaurs’.
The German announced in a shocking video that he would leave his post this summer, after nine years rich in trophies. Alonso, who has been managed by Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti during his career and comes from a coaching family, is widely seen as the favorite to replace Klopp on the Reds’ bench. He took Bayer Leverkusen from penultimate place in the Bundesliga to five points clear in 16 months, leading Klopp to describe the Spaniard in glowing terms.
The current Liverpool manager told reporters on Friday: “Xabi is doing an incredible job. If you had asked me eight weeks ago about Xabi Alonso, I would have said: ‘Oh my God.’ The dinosaurs, if you will – Ancelotti, Mourinho, Guardiola, maybe me – won’t be around for the next 20 years. Okay, maybe Mourinho will be there. The new generation is already here in any case and I would say that Xabi stands out in this area. »
Klopp praises Xabi
“A former world-class player, from a family of coaches, which helps a bit, he was already like a coach when he played. The football he plays, the teams he puts together, the transfers he has made, all of this is absolutely exceptional. I played in the Bundesliga for a long time and it’s very impressive. It’s not just the number of points, it’s also the way you play. He’s made some great hires for this team, exactly what they needed, and it’s truly a very special job. »
With Klopp’s departure confirmed, some believe that Mohamed Salah, another club veteran, is also on his way out after a glittering career with the Reds. In the other direction, rumors have reported of the signing of Kylian Mbappé at Paris Saint-Germain, as he gets closer to leaving the Parc des Princes. But Klopp played down the rumours, adding: “ Obviously I’m not involved in this, but I can tell you I’d be surprised. It would be difficult for most of the big clubs I know – (because of) salaries, signing fees. »
