Well, Thursday evening didn’t deliver the happy Easter news that Liverpool fans might have wanted to hear when it came to Xabi Alonso.
The Spanish coach was thought to be Liverpool’s number one choice to replace Jurgen Klopp.
It had been widely reported for weeks how Alonso was admired by Liverpool and Bayern Munich. Indeed, Richard Keys even claimed this week that Alonso had agreed to take the job.
However, reports from multiple sources last night have suggested Alonso is now going to stay with Bayer Leverkusen and continue his work in Germany.
For Liverpool, it’s not ideal. They must now move on to other targets, with the likes of Roberto De Zerbi and Ruben Amorim among those mentioned recently.
However, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, there is another name on Liverpool’s list as well.
Liverpool shortlist more names after Xabi Alonso snub
The idea of Alonso not becoming the new Liverpool manager will sting for a lot of Reds fans.
However, the show must go on and Liverpool, with Michael Edwards now back at the helm, will have a diligent process they’re following.
Indeed, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, the shortlist is not just narrowed down to Alonso anyway.
Taking to X last night to share some information on the next steps for Liverpool, Jacobs has said that Germany coach, Julian Nagelsmann, remains on the list.
In his post, Jacobs claims that along with the aforementioned De Zerbi and Amorim, Nagelsmann has scored highly in some key metrics.
Nagelsmann is due to lead Germany at Euro 2024 this summer. However, his future beyond that remains uncertain.
Julian Nagelsmann’s achievements push him towards Liverpool
Aside from the obvious fact of replacing a passionate German coach with another, there’s more to like for Liverpool when it comes to Julian Nagelsmann.
As well as winning the Bundesliga title and German cup already in his young career, he was also the mastermind behind the impress RB Leipzig side from 2019 to 2021.
Of course, his time with Bayern Munich afterwards didn’t quite go fully to plan. But the fact he was given the Germany job at just 36 says a lot.
Nagelsmann, then, could well be one to watch for Liverpool. And after being linked with Tottenham all last year, the ‘phenomenal‘ young coach might finally get his move to England.