Jürgen Klopp has given a glowing endorsement of Xabi Alonso, the frontrunner to succeed him at Liverpool, describing the Bayer Leverkusen coach as the “standout” of the next generation of leading managers.
Alonso is favourite to replace the Liverpool manager this summer having taken Leverkusen from second bottom of the Bundesliga to a five-point lead at the top in 16 months. The 42-year-old’s team are also in the German Cup semi-finals, reached the Europa League semi-finals in Alonso’s first season and comprehensively outplayed Bayern Munich in a 3-0 victory last weekend.
