NEVER WALK ALON
Xabi Alonso ‘has release clause in Bayer Leverkusen contract only three clubs can activate’ amid Liverpool interest
Reds legend is favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp after he announced his bombshell exit
XABI ALONSO has a release clause in his contract allowing him to join Liverpool, according to reports.
The Bayer Leverkusen boss is the favourite to take charge of the Merseysiders following the news of Jurgen Klopp's imminent Anfield departure.
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The former Reds midfielder, 41, guided the Germans to a sixth-placed finish in his first season with the club.
But this season his troops are absolutely flying - unbeaten and top the Bundesliga table, looking primed to stun perennial champions Bayern Munich.
His success has caught the eye of several clubs.
And Liverpool - who have known since November that Klopp will leave - will likely have been keeping very close tabs on their former star's progress.
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And they have a clear path to acquiring his services should they wish to have him replace Klopp.
Alonso's current contract with Leverkusen - which expires in the summer of 2026 - allows him to leave the club if the Reds come calling.
That's according to , who claim he's allowed to depart the club at the end of the season if three clubs want him.
Real Madrid and Bundesliga big boys Bayern are the two other teams Alonso is reportedly allowed to leave for.
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Alonso, of course, played for all three clubs during his playing career.
The former Spain international spent five seasons at Anfield before joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2009.
He spent six seasons at the Bernabeu before joining Bayern - whom he ended his playing career with - in the summer of 2014.
Alonso was linked with the Tottenham job before Ange Postecoglou replaced Antonio Conte.
But he was quick to dismiss speculation that he could swap the BayArena for the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Alonso Ticks All The Boxes
By Dan King
XABI ALONSO ticks almost every box to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, and if Bayer Leverkusen don’t let their lead at the top of the Bundesliga slip the case for him to do so will be irresistible.
The former Kop idol knows the club inside out after five seasons at Anfield and has made no secret of his enduring affection.
Alonso has already forged a reputation as an innovative coach playing an attractive, pressing style, usually in a fluid 3-4-2-1 formation.
He has taken Leverkusen from second bottom of the Bundesliga to seven points clear at the top, putting them on course to be crowned German champions for the first time in their 120-year history.
It’s worth remembering that both Rafa Benitez and Klopp arrived at Anfield with proof they could dethrone clubs who dominated their leagues.
For Alonso to do the same, in only his second season as a top-flight manager, would mark him out as something special.
It is that lack of long-term experience that would still make appointing him to replace Klopp a gamble.
But otherwise, he looks like the perfect candidate as Liverpool are forced to plan a future without the man who made them champions of England, Europe and the world.
He said: "I've been in football for many years, rumours are normal but we still have a lot to achieve.
"That's why my head is 100 per cent here for the last few months.
"And my head is also 100 per cent here for next season."
Leverkusen will be back in action on Saturday evening, welcoming Borussia Monchengladbach to the BayArena.
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