'I hope for him' - Fernando Torres shares Xabi Alonso wish as Liverpool manager speculation continues

Fernando Torres has hailed Xabi Alonso as one of the best managers in the world as his former team-mate continues to be linked with the Liverpool job.

Jurgen Klopp is set to step down as manager in the summer, with the Spaniard touted as one of the favourites to replace him following his remarkable transformation of Bayer Leverkusen. Closing in on a first ever Bundesliga title, the German outfit are enjoying an unbeaten season, sitting 10 points clear at the top of the table while also through to the DFB-Pokal semi-finals and Europa League quarter-finals.

Torres played alongside Alonso at Liverpool for two seasons, while the pair were also both members of the Spain side that won the 2010 World Cup and European Championships in both 2008 and 2012.

And regardless of whether Alonso does end up replacing Klopp or not in the summer, Torres is convinced his compatriot will continue to flourish in his managerial career.

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“I think he’s doing great, fantastic player and he is already a fantastic manager,” he said. “He’s a really nice guy, I’ve got a nice friendship with him and I hope for him all the best.

“We have seen in the Sociedad academy he is doing really good things, now you can see he has become one of the best managers in the world.

“He’s having a fantastic season, not losing a single game and the future is bright for him.”

Torres is a manager himself, having been in charge of Atletico Madrid Under-19s since 2021. And while Alonso has worked his way up to be one of the best managers in Europe after impressing with Real Madrid and Real Sociedad’s youth sides, the former striker admits he has a long