Liverpool fans pick next manager if NOT Xabi Alonso - poll results

Xabi Alonso is the clear frontrunner to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager when the German stands down at the end of the season.

The 42-year-old Bayer Leverkusen boss is not only the bookmakers' favourite but also the people's choice, topping a recent Anfield Watch poll of candidates to take over.

As well as his connection to Liverpool — Alonso spent five years at Anfield as a player and his son was even born on Merseyside — the Spaniard is one of the hottest young coaches in the business.

His Leverkusen side are on track for their first-ever Bundesliga title and remain unbeaten in all competitions this season.

He knows the club, he's got a great tactical brain and he's even devilishly handsome. What's the catch?!

Well, unfortunately it appears Liverpool are not the only club gunning for Xabi.

Perennial winners Bayern Munich have decided to part ways with manager Thomas Tuchel this summer, following some poor form that has threatened to leave them trophyless for the first time in 12 years.

Predictably, Bayern are reported to be turning to the man keeping them off the top of the Bundesliga table: Alonso.

Reports claim that the ex-midfielder, who also played for Bayern as well as Liverpool, is the Bavarians' number one candidate.

With Alonso concentrating on his own side's glorious run, he has stayed coy on his future, while Leverkusen chiefs have (at least publicly) insisted their manager is going nowhere.

It looks as though Alonso will have a big decision to make in the coming weeks, between two of his old clubs.

Should he opt for Bayern, it would be a blow to Liverpool. Reports suggest Liverpool have already made enquiries to Alonso and losing out on their top target now would be a bad look.

But... if it does happen, who should the Reds go for instead? Anfield Watch put the question to fans on X (Twitter) with over 14,000 voting on a selection of the most regularly linked candidates.

Of the options Ruben Amorim, Roberto De Zerbi, Thomas Tuchel and other it was the Brighton manager who came out on top with 44.1% of the overall vote.

Highly rated Sporting CP coach Amorim placed second with 26.5%, while Tuchel only received 10.3%, behind the choice of 'other' — with a range of contenders from Steven Gerrard to Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Frank and Hansi Flick mentioned in the comments.

After Alonso, 44-year-old De Zerbi is regularly listed as having the next shortest odds to replace Klopp at Anfield.

The Italian has won admirers for his attack-minded football at Brighton, while the former midfielder also impressed during spells in charge of Shakhtar Donetsk and Sassuolo.

According to one recent report, Brighton are already making contingency plans for De Zerbi's exit at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, ex-Liverpool star Adam Lallana admitted his current Brighton boss will be on the radar of top clubs looking for their next manager.

"It wouldn't surprise me," the midfielder said. "I think all the clubs are looking at Roberto.

"In my eyes, he is one of the best coaches in the world. We will see. It's like a domino effect with these managers at the moment, managers are always under pressure wherever you go. I don't know if that puts you off going into that after, but that's just the world we live in."

De Zerbi's Brighton sit seventh in the Premier League after 25 games, while they have qualified for the Europa League last 16.

The Seagulls have been in mixed form of late, however, winning just two of six league games in 2024 so far.

Meanwhile, Amorim's Sporting CP sit top of Portuguese league as the 39-year-old chases down a second title.