Bayer Leverkusen will reportedly not stand in Xabi Alonso’s way if he decides he wants to join Liverpool.

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp announced he would be stepping down as manager at the end of this season after nine years at the helm. The legendary German’s impending departure has sparked conversations about who will succeed him, with Leverkusen’s Alonso being discussed as the most suitable replacement.

Alonso, who scored in Liverpool’s famous Champions League-winning final in 2005, is currently one of the most highly-rated young managers in football. That is thanks to his heroics with the Bundesliga side, who were second from bottom when he took over in 2022 and are now leading the German top flight by two points.

And BBC Sport reports Leverkusen have informed the former World Cup-winning midfielder they will not stand in his way should a big club approach him in the summer. There is understood to be no buy-out clause in his contract either.

It has reportedly always been at the forefront of the Spaniard’s plans to make the step up to Liverpool or Real Madrid, where he also played, if he succeeded in Germany. The 42-year-old’s ‘plan B’ would have been to return to his hometown of San Sebastian and manage Real Sociedad.

Alonso has done a stellar job with Bayer Leverkusen (Image: Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images/REX/Shutterstock)

Alonso cut his teeth with Real Sociedad’s B side Sanse before taking charge of Leverkusen. But the Liverpool legend is now onto bigger things.

The Anfield club face stiff competition to sign him from the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, where Alonso won three Bundesliga titles as a player and eventually hung up his boots. Both European giants could be in the search for a new manager in the summer should they part ways with Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel respectively.

Xabi Alonso is a Liverpool legend already

Alonso was able to soak up knowledge from legendary coaches such as Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez throughout his playing career. His hands-on approach to coaching has improved his players drastically alongside his friendly and cordial personality.

The Spaniard’s tactics and style differ greatly from Klopp’s and his potential provides no certainty he will replicate the German’s success. Yet the clamour to hire him as a head coach indicates why he is a better candidate than any to take over at Anfield.