Liverpool rule out Xabi Alonso as Jurgen Klopp successor

Liverpool have abandoned plans to sign Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso to replace Jurgen Klopp as manager, sources have told ESPN, with Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi and Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim considered as the leading candidates for the Anfield job.

Alonso, a Champions League winner as a player with Liverpool in 2005, is set to guide Leverkusen to their first ever Bundesliga title this season.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (US)

While Klopp had publicly announced in January that he would step down as Liverpool manager this summer – the former Borussia Dortmund boss informed the club of his intentions in November – Alonso had emerged as the hot favorite to move to Anfield in because of his ties as a player. player and his impressive work at the BayArena.

While Bayern Munich are also looking for a new manager due to Thomas Tuchel's departure from the Allianz Arena at the end of this season, Alonso had also emerged as the leading candidate for the job in Bavaria.

Alonso also played for Bayern during his illustrious career.

Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeness said on Thursday that hiring Alonso this summer was “probably impossible”. Sources at Liverpool have told ESPN that the club chose to pursue other goals as it was understood that Alonso was willing to stay at Leverkusen for at least one more season.

Sources said Michael Edwards, who returned to Liverpool as the club's football CEO earlier this month after serving as sporting director, had already identified alternative options to Alonso.

De Zerbi, whose Brighton side travel to Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday, enjoys strong support within the Liverpool hierarchy.

If De Zerbi's record at Brighton makes him the new favorite, Sporting coach Amorim is also considered a real contender to succeed Klopp.

Alonso, meanwhile, is expected to be a target for Real Madrid when Carlo Ancelotti's contract expires in 2026.