Xabi Alonso Says Liverpool Have “the Right Man” in Jürgen Klopp

Rafa Benitez, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola. The list of ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso’s last four managers reads like a who’s who of football coaching world, some of the game’s most successful club bosses of the past fifteen years.

One man whose name wouldn’t look out of place on that list but that he’s never likely to get a chance to play under is currently Liverpool manager Jügren Klopp. Watching from afar, though, Alonso has liked what he’s seen since the German arrived at Anfield.

“It’s important to find the right man,” Alonso told ESPN this week when the 34-year-old midfielder was asked about the situation at his former club. “I think that so far, in just a few months, he has embraced the Liverpool culture, what the club means.”

Liverpool fans will always have fond memories of the cultured playmaker’s time at Anfield, and though it’s difficult to imagine him ending up back at the club as a player these days, it won’t be long now before fans start to wonder about a coaching role.

When the time comes, many would love to see him back in some capacity, and of all the club’s recent stars, Alonso might be the one most suited to coaching. If he is interested, perhaps in a year or two he will get to add Klopp to the list of managers he’s worked with.

“How the fans are, the passion, you need to have that to represent Liverpool,” Alonso added. “He’s a special character, I think. That’s why he’s loving it so far. Hopefully in the new season he can turn those good feelings into something more.”