Next Liverpool manager: Bayer Leverkusen 'optimistic' Xabi Alonso will snub FSG approach
Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly optimistic Xabi Alonso won't leave the club in favour of succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool this summer.
The 42-year-old Spaniard, who enjoyed five years at Anfield as a player between 2004 and 2009, has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Klopp, who this week announced he would be ending his nine-year stint as manager at the end of the campaign.
Klopp, who replaced Brendan Rodgers in October 2015 - a time when Liverpool were languishing in the Premier League, has delivered Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Club World Cup success to Anfield in his eight full seasons at the club.
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Speaking at a press conference at the club's AXA Training Centre on Friday, Klopp said he would play no part in Fenway Sports Group's search for his successor but insisted whoever is lucky enough to call Anfield their home from the 2024-25 season onwards, will be inheriting a strong Reds side.
The man who succeeds Klopp could very well be Alonso, the former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder who currently has Bayer Leverkusen sitting at the top of the Bundesliga and on a remarkable 27-game unbeaten streak across all competitions.
According to reports in Germany on Saturday though, Leverkusen are 'optimistic' the 42-year-old won't swap the BayArena for Anfield this summer, should Liverpool approach.
Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg reports that the 114-cap Spain international, who extended his contract until 2026 just last summer, has already started "planning and building" his squad
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