Liverpool handed Xabi Alonso manager blow as two alternatives emerge

The end of Jurgen Klopp's tenure as Liverpool manager is closing in and speculation surrounding his successor continues to gather momentum.

The focus remains on the task at hand for the German as they compete in the Premier League and the FA Cup but rumours are swirling over who will be in the home dugout at Anfield next season. Xabi Alonso has been the resounding favourite to return to Merseyside since Klopp made the shock announcement at the end of January.

As it stands, Alonso's Leverkusen sit 10 points clear of Bundesliga heavyweights Bayern Munich ahead of the resumption of their league campaign following the international break. Liverpool, meanwhile, sit second on goal-difference behind league leaders Arsenal.

In Munich, Thomas Tuchel will also step down from his role at the Allianz Arena fuelling speculation over who will succeed the former Chelsea boss. Alonso is widely considered as a candidate to replace the Champions League-winner as he looks set to end the Bavarians' dominance at the top of Germany's first division.

Here is the round-up of all the latest Liverpool managerial speculation.

Alonso unlikely to become new Liverpool manager

Xabi Alonso is unlikely to become Liverpool’s next manager with the Reds not expecting the Spaniard to be available this summer.

The ECHO understands that the Reds are of the belief that Alonso is planning on staying at Leverkusen for at least another season, leaving the club to move onto other candidates.

Alonso emerged as the runaway favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp in the summer after the German made public his shock decision to leave Anfield at the end of the season after almost nine years in charge.

Xabi Alonso 'determined' to choose future

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has revealed that Alonso will choose his future in the next three to four weeks, although nothing is decided.

Leverkusen are unbeaten all season and while sitting pretty at the Bundesliga summit, they are competing on multiple fronts with a DFB Pokal semi-final on the horizon plus a Europa League semi-final against West Ham United.

Balague shared on X: "Xabi Alonso is determined to choose his future in the next 3-4 weeks. Nothing is decided yet, nothing at all First, four big games ahead to be played (Hoffenheim in the league, semis of the cup against Dusserldorf, Union Berlin in the league, quarters of the EL vs West Ham).

"Then the idea is to take the decision about his future after those results The pros and cons of every team that is interested in him have been considered, and he will take the next step that “he feels” is the right one (a mixture of intuition, logic and consideration of family) Leverkusen: why stay when you have maximised the potential, but their confidence in him has a weight.

"Liverpool: hard to follow up Klopp but the squad is strong. Although, can Liverpool step up from where it is now? Bayern: perfect move as the team has dropped a level or two, but how can you go from being a BL legend to go to Bayern, and how can you fight for the league with the team you are moving to?

"Real Madrid: if City KO Madrid in the CL and they lose a couple of games in the league, Ancelotti might not continue, but too many ifs as they are clear favourite to win LaLiga at least What a position to be in when he is only 42 and will have the chance to manage those teams in different times during his coaching career. It is just a matter of choosing the right time for all of them".

Bayern 'eye' former Man United boss as Alonso alternative

In the German press in recent weeks the consensus has been that Alonso will be headed across Germany to Leverkusen's title rivals at the end of the season.

However, their direction has seemingly now changed. Replacements and alternatives are being mooted from media outlets in the region.

Now Kicker has reported that while Bayern 'remain hopeful' of beating Liverpool to Alonso but should their efforts be scuppered, they are eyeing former Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

The German may not have had the desired impact at Old Trafford but he has worked wonders with Austria's national team and has earned himself a nomination as the next Bayern manager.

Liverpool 'know' of Xabi Alonso options

With a managerial tug-of-war in the offing, Xabi Alonso's list of options appears to be endless. The Spaniard is among the most in-demand managers in Europe after an eye-catching 18 months in North-Rhine Westphalia.

As well as the Reds and Bayern, former club Real Madrid have been touted as options but remaining at the BayArena is also an option with the prospect of steering Leverkusen in their title defence and the Champions League a possibility.

In a Q&A with The Athletic, David Ornstein said: "I don't know of any definitive decision being made yet but clearly Liverpool have known from the start that Alonso staying at Leverkusen or moving to Bayern are also strong options available to him."

Pep Lijnders 'shortlisted' by Ajax in Jordan Henderson reunion

Jurgen Klopp and his departure has dominated the conversation since the surprise revelation but as part of his exit, his backroom staff will also depart.

One of whom is Pep Lijnders. The Dutchman has been Klopp's right-hand man throughout the success at Anfield in recent years and the ECHO reported on Wednesday that he is already being courted for a management role.

Lijnders is eyeing a move into the managerial hotseat and he could be tasked with steering Ajax back to the top of Holland's top-flight. It has been a turbulent season for the Amsterdam club as they sit outside of the Champions League places and a move to his native country could see a reunion with former Reds captain Henderson - who moved to the Eredivisie after ending his controversial spell in Saudi Arabia under Steven Gerrard.

Ruben Amorim 'capable' of taking over at Liverpool

Former Sporting midfielder Joao Palhinha has tipped Ruben Amorim to succeed Jurgen Klopp.

“Ruben has a lot of quality, one of the best in Portugal,” the Fulham midfielder told Portuguese outlet O Jogo. “He’s done an excellent job. He has in-depth knowledge and has a close relationship with players. The way he’s growing, he will not be in Portugal for much longer.”

“Capable of taking over Liverpool? Yes, of course. The pressure is different. When you coach Liverpool, you have pressure from the fans, the club, the whole world. I think it will be a matter of time."

Xabi Alonso Bayer Leverkusen stay talked up

Honorary Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness admitted that it will be "very difficult" to appoint Xabi Alonso as manager - as he spoke of the likelihood of remaining at Bayer Leverkusen.

He told German outlet Das Erste: “I feel that it will be very difficult to sign Xabi Alonso, not to say probably impossible. I can certainly imagine him staying at Bayer Leverkusen to continue his job.

"As I got to know him, he would be more inclined to carry on because he wouldn't want to leave it behind now. He is now working at a club that is currently in the process of becoming German champions.

"He has a lot to thank this club for, and so does the club. If he had two or three years more success, it would probably be easier to get him out of there. We would like to sign him. But if that doesn't work, it will be the task of the club's management to look for and find alternatives."