Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Xabi Alonso is “an outstanding figure” among the new generation of football managers.
Alonso has been heavily linked with the Anfield job since 56-year-old Klopp announced his appointment at the club. leave the club At the end of the season.
The 42-year-old's Bayer Leverkusen team are top of the German Bundesliga, five points behind Bayern Munich, who have won the last 11 titles.
“Xavi is doing a great job,” Klopp said on Friday.
Alonso spent five seasons at Liverpool from 2004 to 2009, winning the Champions League, FA Cup, Super Cup and Community Shield during his time on Merseyside, before enjoying success with Real Madrid and Bayern.
The former midfielder joined Leverkusen in 2022 and has remained unbeaten in all competitions this season, leading the way in the Bundesliga, the German Cup semi-finals and the Europa League last 16.
Alonso's success in Germany includes: In a recent 3-0 victory over title rivals Bayern, He has reportedly become one of the top managerial targets for clubs across Europe, including Spanish giants Real Madrid.
“He gives proper credit to how fast his team is and how well-coordinated they are for the time required,” Klopp said.
“The next generation is already here and I would say Xavi is outstanding in that department.
”[He is a] Being a former world-class player and coming from a coaching family helped a little, but he was already a coach in his playing days.
“The football he's playing, the team he's started, the transfers he's made, it's absolutely exceptional.
“If you had asked me eight weeks ago about Xabi Alonso, I would have been like, 'Oh my God!'” What I always said.
“If you don't mind, I could say “Dinosaur.'' [Carlo] ancelotti [Jose] Mourinho, [Pep] Guardiola, maybe I, we won't [manage] For the next 20 years, Mourinho might be able to do it, but the rest of us won't. ”
In January, Klopp made the shocking announcement that he would be leaving Liverpool in the summer after nine years at the club, saying he had “run out of energy”.
The Reds, who are two points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, travel to Brentford on Saturday at 12:30pm Japan time.
