via echo
Ryan Babel thinks it is too soon for Xabi Alonso to become Liverpool manager despite the Spaniard’s remarkable transformation of Bayer Leverkusen.
The Spaniard joined the German outfit in October 2022 when they were second from bottom in the table.
After recovering to finish sixth in the table, while also reaching the Europa League semi-finals, his first full season at the BayArena has exceeded all expectations even further.
Alonso is one of the favourites to replace the German. However, a return to Anfield isn’t the only potential move on offer with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid also reportedly keen on his services.
Thomas Tuchel is also leaving Bayern this summer, with the Bavarians providing direct competition for Alonso.
Alonso isn’t the only genuine candidate touted as a potential successor for Klopp, with the likes of Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Roberto De Zerbi, and Germany’s Julian Nagelsmann also all under consideration.
Babel played alongside Alonso for two seasons at Anfield, and despite being impressed by his former team-mate’s managerial career to date, he believes the Spaniard would be too big a risk
Babel
“I think maybe to replace Klopp, it would be a big risk for him,”
“Of course, you can see he’s a good manager in the making.
“But the difference with Leverkusen and Liverpool is that with Leverkusen, it’s okay if you do well but with Liverpool, you have to do well. I think it would be better for him to step in at a different time.
“Even though this is the perfect time, I think it will be very difficult and the pressure is very high to replace Klopp.”
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