Alonso Watch

Alonso looks like he's a natural-born winner as both a football player and manager. He is doing extremely well in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.

Apparently, he has a clause in his contract that enables him to join us, Bayern Munich, or of course, Real Madrid, and I suppose if there were perfect examples of something definitely going to happen in the future, Alonso ending up at the Bernabeu as manager would be one of them. Three things are definite in life; death, taxes, and Xabi Alonso managing Real Madrid.

The romantic in me would love to see him manage Liverpool in the future, but (a) only when Klopp decides it's time to step aside, and (b) only after Xabi has fulfilled his lifelong dream of managing Real Madrid. I believe he was born in Madrid, so I'm assuming that has to be a destination for him in the future. He's only 42 (as of 14th Dec 23), so plenty of time.

Anyways, he's currently unbeaten in the Bundesliga and in the Europa League (won five out of five), and just equalled the best-ever start to the Bundesliga, set by Pep's Bayern Munich in the 2015/16 season. I think it's 14 games played, won 11 drawn 3.

I imagine a Europa League final between Klopp and Alonso would be a good watch.

Or, he could turn out to be an average Joe, and that's that. Time will tell.

Jürgen Klopp almost impossible to replace and should carry on for whenever he decides to quit. It seems Alonso might be a more than decent choice as manager of LFC one day, only time will tell.

For the meantime we will enjoy Jürgen's tenure hoping it will bring more trophies along the way !

I don't think it comes as any surprise just how well a job he is doing in management. If you could have asked Liverpool supporters 15/20 years ago, who out of all our then playing staff, would go on to the top level then I'm sure the majority of us would choose Xabi.

Of course, he's not won anything yet, but it's clear to see what a mightily talented guy he is. He could go to Madrid...but sentiment and long term vision only has a limited shelf life (of about 3 days) there. So, you know it makes sense Xabi. Come back here!

(onlu when Jürgen has left the club of course! So in that case, let's hope we're waiting for a while longer before we dream of Xabi)

Personally I feel that if the Aston Martin is not consistently challenging next season he'll likely retire.

Yep, I'm more than happy with Klopp. But nothing lasts forever, and you always have to look to the future. I think we'll all look back one day and miss the Klopp years, and at my age, you start to appreciate things in the current climate, and not just when looking back to the past. Never mind his charisma and genuinely nice guy attributes, the gaffer has won almost everything there is to win at the club. And that box might get ticked in a few months.

I will also become a German supporter when he takes them to the World Cup in the future. It's not like there's much chance of Wales getting there anytime soon.

You all going off Gerrard now?

You all going off Gerrard now?

Good point. There are no guarantees in football management. I've often wondered what attributes make someone a poor, mediocre, good, or great manager. Eye for talent, tactical knowledge, man management, available funds, and probably lots more. So for me, it would be:

1st - Eye for talent
2nd - Tactical knowledge
3rd - Man management
4th - Available funds
5th - Backroom staff
6th - Not working for the Glazers (this might be 1st, actually)

You all going off Gerrard now?

I not been sold on gerrard since he went to rangers. And now hes fu**ed off to saudi im even less confinced.

Alonso is defo better option for future reds manager.

Although I do think when klopp finally leaves, assistant pep may well get a go at it.

I not been sold on gerrard since he went to rangers. And now hes fu**ed off to saudi im even less confinced.

Alonso is defo better option for future reds manager.

Although I do think when klopp finally leaves, assistant pep may well get a go at it.

Alonso also being looked at as a future Real Madrid Head coach.

Alonso also being looked at as a future Real Madrid Head coach.

could do madrid then upgrade to us. l o l

could do madrid then upgrade to us. l o l

German journalist saying on CNN sports report talking about Leverkusen's start of the season that it is rumoured he has a release clause in his contract if Real, Liverpool or Bayern were to come in for him.

I've been impressed with how well he's done so quickly over there, although not surprised, as he was often the most intelligent player on the pitch; his football mind and passing on a different level to most. I hope they beat Bayern to the title (I also quite like Leverkusen from back when they were decent 20+ years ago - Ulf Kirsten and co). It's great having a genuine legend we can watch from afar who we can all imagine being in the Anfield dugout one day. There was Sami who disappeared pretty quickly, Stevie who fared pretty badly at Villa and now the classy Spanish maestro who's stepping up. Igor Biscan assistant please 

You all going off Gerrard now?

Steven as a relatively Rookie manager made mistakes at Villa (Coutinho one of the biggest)....but making mistakes is how you learn. For me what he achieved as a player and leader at our club merits giving him at go at the reins at some point down the line.

Steven as a relatively Rookie manager made mistakes at Villa (Coutinho one of the biggest)....but making mistakes is how you learn. For me what he achieved as a player and leader at our club merits giving him at go at the reins at some point down the line.

Going to Saudi kind of burned off any prospect of him managing this club. It's not what any serious manager with serious ambitions would ever do.

Steven as a relatively Rookie manager made mistakes at Villa (Coutinho one of the biggest)....but making mistakes is how you learn. For me what he achieved as a player and leader at our club merits giving him at go at the reins at some point down the line.

The only thing that merits him getting the reigns here , is proving he can do it and so far especially with that move out there he hasn’t , .

If he's wanted by us, there's a part of me that wants him here, but there is a big part of me that doesn't. I'd much rather he got the Madrid thing out of his system before he comes to us.

This thread certainly aged well.

Not gonna lie. If he was appointed I wouldn't be too upset. I think if he came here and had success, the Madrid thing wouldn't be an issue.

I don't think it comes as any surprise just how well a job he is doing in management. If you could have asked Liverpool supporters 15/20 years ago, who out of all our then playing staff, would go on to the top level then I'm sure the majority of us would choose Xabi.

Of course, he's not won anything yet, but it's clear to see what a mightily talented guy he is. He could go to Madrid...but sentiment and long term vision only has a limited shelf life (of about 3 days) there. So, you know it makes sense Xabi. Come back here!

(only when Jürgen has left the club of course! So in that case, let's hope we're waiting for a while longer before we dream of Xabi)

Did not expect to be coming back to this so quickly.

Point about Gerrard still stands. I don't care if he was Jesus Christ himself, anyone who decided to take their career to Saudi instantly disqualifies themselves from any consideration for this job. Not a serious job and therefore not a serious manager. It's a massive no from me.

Alonso all day.

Did not expect to be coming back to this so quickly.

Point about Gerrard still stands. I don't care if he was Jesus Christ himself, anyone who decided to take their career to Saudi instantly disqualifies themselves from any consideration for this job. Not a serious job and therefore not a serious manager. It's a massive no from me.

Alonso all day.

I don't care if Gerrard went to Saudi or not, he's not had good results so that disqualifies him for me. I'm with you on Alonso, think we could do a whole lot worse.

I watched Leverkusen's game the other day and my word, it was fun to watch. I'd take that!

He was a personal favourite as a player and it almost makes too much sense, so it probably won't happen haha

Well, there's a reason there's a release clause in his contract allowing him to leave for Liverpool or Madrid. It's because he'd want to leave and manage those teams if the offer ever came up.

Well, there's a reason there's a release clause in his contract allowing him to leave for Liverpool or Madrid. It's because he'd want to leave and manage those teams if the offer ever came up.

Even read a quote somewhere with Xabi saying he had "unfinished business here"

Even read a quote somewhere with Xabi saying he had "unfinished business here"

A bit of a gamble, but all signs point to him knowing this football management gig. I wonder if he'll think it's too soon though. I'd be prepared to take that risk.

Who else checked the schedule for the weekend to make sure they catch Leverkusen's game?

Who else checked the schedule for the weekend to make sure they catch Leverkusen's game?

Guilty as charged! 😃

Dutifully have my tv on to watch Darmstadt vs Leverkusen

Xabi Alonso is cool as F**k

Xabi Alonso is cool as F**k

There was some reports today linking us with the sporting Lisbon coach. Probably bs.

I like Xabi obviously. Can't help but think pep doesn't want it yet as on reflection he seems the logical choice to me for continuity and promote from within.

Nathan Tella gets Leverkusen ahead, 1-0. Yet another assist for Grimaldo, quality cross to the opposite side wing back.

FC Bayern have gone 1-0 down to Monchengladbach, meaning Leverkusen are as of now 5 points ahead at the top.

There was some reports today linking us with the sporting Lisbon coach. Probably bs.

I like Xabi obviously. Can't help but think pep doesn't want it yet as on reflection he seems the logical choice to me for continuity and promote from within.

Xabi would be given patience, Pep wouldn’t and he probably realizes that. Would really be a tough job for him unless we came out flying for a good while.

Job done

2-0 win away from home.

Bayern came back from behind to win as well so the distance at the top remains 2 points

Saturday 10th February

Bayer 04 Leverkusen v Bayern Munich

Kick Off: 17:30

Xabi Alonso is cool as F**k

Always has been cool as F**k

Just a fun stat ahead of an upcoming game -

Klopp managed 29 unbeaten games with Borussia Dortmund.

Pep Guardiola managed 32 unbeaten games with Bayern Munich.

Xabi Alonso has managed 30 unbeaten games with Bayer Leverkusen - just 3 more required to beat Guardiola.

Bayer Leverkusen face Bayern Munich this Saturday at 5.30pm....

His team play with no fear from my limited knowledge, (the first half-time viewing of Leverkusen vs Bayern ), hope he gets the Bundesliga wrapped up.

Will do him the world of good before he joins us to have a title under his belt.

Thought Leverkusen were a bit under the cosh second half, but without looking ragged, if that makes sense. Munich had to come out and make a fight of it, and they did, but yeah, 3-0 looks good.

And the pace at which they play is exciting to watch. Need players that can pass the ball in this set-up. Give Thiago a year extension and we're golden.

Thought Leverkusen were a bit under the cosh second half, but without looking ragged, if that makes sense. Munich had to come out and make a fight of it, and they did, but yeah, 3-0 looks good.

And the pace at which they play is exciting to watch. Need players that can pass the ball in this set-up. Give Thiago a year extension and we're golden.

Do the physio’s need work?

Give Thiago a year extension and we're golden.

Being binned at the end of his current contract

Being binned at the end of his current contract

I know, just think he'd be perfect for this system. Ah well.

I know, just think he'd be perfect for this system. Ah well.

If he was fit

Looks like Xabi's boys going 8 points clear

Leverkusen go 8 points clear and 33 matches unbeaten in the Bundesliga, beating Guardiola's previous record.