Journalist Mark Ogden has shared why he believes that Liverpool could spring a surprise this summer as the Reds prepare to appoint Jurgen Klopp’s successor.
Of course, plenty of eyes will be on Anfield this summer. Jurgen Klopp brought the football world to a standstill in January when announcing that this season will be his final one as Liverpool manager.
Understandably, there appears to be a standout candidate for the role. Xabi Alonso has won a lot of admirers for the work he has done at Bayer Leverkusen. Leverkusen sit top of the Bundesliga table right now. And obviously, he spent several years on Merseyside as a player.
Liverpool are well aware of what it would take to appoint Alonso as their next manager. But obviously, we are still waiting to find out whether they will target the 42-year-old.
Liverpool may spring surprise with next manager appointment
Whoever replaces Klopp has a massive job on their hands. So it would arguably be a smart move for the Liverpool hierarchy to find someone who is popular with the fans, as the transition is unlikely to be completely smooth.
Liverpool did receive a big boost with the news that Michael Edwards will be returning to the club. Edwards played a key role in the success enjoyed during Klopp’s time in charge.
But perhaps Edwards’ return may not be good news if Alonso is interested in becoming Liverpool manager this summer.
Speaking to ESPN, Mark Ogden believes that Edwards may catch many off-guard with who he wants.
“I’ve been told that he’s one of the most connected people in the game. He knows the players that are coming through, the coaches that are coming through. He can pick up a call to this guy, to that guy,” he said.
“He knows six months before everybody else who the players are and who the coaches are. Which is why I think that he’ll pull a rabbit out of the hat with the next coach and it will be a surprise, it won’t be Xabi Alonso.
“We’ll wait and see, but I think Edwards is very key to this in the sense that he is the guy who Liverpool have brought back because they know he’s good. They know he’s the best in the world at what he does.”
Fans will trust Michael Edwards
Now Edwards is back at the helm, there may well be a lot more faith from the supporters. Previously, it would have seemed like a big gamble to target anyone else but Alonso.
However, Edwards has a proven track record. So if he does decide to appoint someone else, the fans will be able to trust that they are the right person to take the job on.
Whoever succeeds Klopp is going to need time. He has been a legendary figure for a number of years. It takes a special manager to write their name into the folklore of such a special club. And Klopp has definitely done that.
If his successor shows signs of potential, the fans will back them. And Edwards clearly will have a good idea of who will capable of such a monumental task.
The post 'It won't be Xabi Alonso': Journalist thinks Liverpool are going to spring a 'surprise' managerial appointment appeared first on TBR Football.