Xabi Alonso remains a firm frontrunner to become Liverpool manager, as life after Jurgen Klopp begins to take shape.
Xabi Alonso Liverpool Exclusive
Former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards is returning to Anfield to lead the post-Jurgen Klopp era, and will take Bournemouth technical director Richard Hughes with him.
The major task facing Liverpool and the Fenway Sports Group this summer is to name a managerial successor, with Klopp stepping down after nine trophy-laden years.
Bayer Leverkusen boss and former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso has been touted as favourite for the role since the announcement, and SportsLens sources suggest that Edwards is fully on board with the plan to target the Spaniard.
Another of Alonso’s former employers – Bayern Munich – are in the market for a manager themselves with Thomas Tuchel exiting the club at the end of the season. A tug-of-war to land Alonso could define the manager merry-go-round this summer.
Reports out of Germany have suggested that Bayern lead the race for his signature, but Liverpool are paying little attention to the whispers and are focused on their own attempts to land him.
Edwards will oversee football operations upon his return and has moved quickly to make sure Hughes can prepare for his role at Anfield – but the most significant appointment will of course be the new manager.
Alonso remains tight lipped over his future as he focuses on trying to win the Bundesliga, where his side currently hold a 10-point lead over Bayern.
Alonso’s side are unbeaten in all competitions and remain in the Europa League, where a clash with Liverpool in the knockout stages remains a firm possibility.
Liverpool’s new look hierarchy will also have to contend with major contract decisions, with the irreplaceable trio of Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold all in the spotlight.
The three star names will see their current deals expire in the summer of 2025, as it stands.
Salah’s future is the most firmly in the spotlight; a sizeable offer is expect to land from Saudi Arabia in an attempt to lure him away once more.
It will be interesting to see how much resistance is put up this time around, after an unsuccessful £150million bid last summer, but Van Dijk and Trent are almost certain to stay as the club.
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