Xabi Alonso urged to appoint Liverpool star as player-coach in potential Klopp successor role

In the wake of Jurgen Klopp’s surprising announcement about stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season, attention has turned towards potential replacements, with Xabi Alonso emerging as a strong contender. The former Liverpool midfielder, who has been making waves as the manager of Bayer Leverkusen, is seen as someone who intimately understands the club’s ethos.

Alonso’s managerial success at Leverkusen, where he has guided the team to the top of the Bundesliga table and secured a spot in the DFB Pokal semi-finals, has only strengthened his candidacy for the Anfield hot seat. Despite being linked to accomplished coaches like Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane, Alonso remains the frontrunner.

As discussions about Alonso’s potential appointment gain momentum, some Liverpool fans are proposing an unconventional move for the former midfielder. They suggest that Alonso should consider making his former Spain teammate, Thiago Alcantara, a player-coach if he assumes the managerial role.

Thiago, who joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich in 2020, has faced challenges with injuries, raising questions about his playing future at the club. Despite his recent return from a lengthy lay-off, fans are divided on whether Thiago should continue as a player-coach under Alonso’s leadership.

Supporters in favor of the idea argue that Thiago’s deep understanding of the game and his experience could make him an asset in a coaching capacity. One fan expressed optimism, stating, “Thiago as a coach/player could work really well for all parties,” while another envisioned it as the start of a “new Premier League era.”

However, not everyone is on board with the concept. Some fans believe that Alonso would prefer Thiago to focus solely on coaching, questioning the feasibility of him playing. Skeptics also humorously remarked on Thiago’s injury history, suggesting he might “still pick up an injury as a coach.”

The prospect of Thiago taking on a coaching role adds an intriguing layer to the speculation surrounding Xabi Alonso’s potential appointment as Liverpool’s next manager. As fans engage in spirited debates about the future of the club, only time will reveal the decisions that will shape Liverpool’s post-Klopp era.