Xabi Alonso warned Liverpool job will be like 'putting his head in a guillotine'
FORMER Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has claimed whoever replaces Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool will 'put their head in a guillotine'.
He then said that taking the Anfield job was not far removed from the impossible task of replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
After the German's shocking announcement that he would be leaving red wines summerXabi Alonso shot to 8/11 favorite to replace him.
In a interview with Betfred, Johnson said: “It's such a difficult situation because every manager who comes in next is basically putting his head in a guillotine.”
“If they keep the same level of success, people will say, 'as you should, because you inherited a great team at a good time,' so they almost expect it.”
“So you might be ready failure.
“For this reason, I think this will put off a lot of big names.
“It's almost like the next one The manager will have to come in and take one for the team.”
And despite the recent rumors, Alonso has shown no interest in moving to the club England,
Johnson, 39, continued, saying: “Liverpool will struggle to replace Jurgen Klopp, just as Manchester United have struggled to replace Sir Alex Ferguson.”
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His reason for this was that managers of the Ferguson/Klopp caliber were a rare find and 'don't come around often'.
The situation is reminiscent of 2013, when a hapless David Moyes tried to fill the gigantic shoes left by Ferguson.
But Johnson thinks there is a crucial difference this time.
He said: “Liverpool is very well run and most of the foundations are already in place.
“They are in a position where they are probably one of the few clubs where the only things they need to change are the manager and the coaching staff.”
And despite his skepticism about the role at Anfield, Johnson believes Alonso is a 'good option'.
This is mainly due to the six years he played Liverpoolwith which they won the Champions League in 2005.
Xabi Alonso is the perfect man for the job
By Dan King
XABI ALONSO ticks almost all the boxes to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager and if Bayer Leverkusen doesn't let his lead at the top of the Bundesliga slip away, his case will be irresistible.
The former Kop idol knows the club inside and out after five seasons at Anfield and has made no secret of his enduring affection.
Alonso has already built a reputation as an innovative coach who plays an attractive, pressing style, usually in a fluid 3-4-2-1 formation.
He has taken Leverkusen from second place in 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 that they could dethrone clubs that dominated their leagues.
If Alonso were to do the same, in his second season as top manager, he would be labeled as something special.
It's that lack of long-term experience that still makes appointing him as Klopp's replacement a gamble.
But otherwise he seems 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: “Being an ex-legend of the club and a fan favorite means Xabi will get time.
“This doesn't necessarily mean he will be successful, but I think the fans will be more patient with him.
“They will give him more leeway than with a manager who has no connection with the club yet.
“So from that side, I think it could be a good option.”
The 42-year-old was reportedly contacted by Liverpool three months ago, shortly after Klopp informed his club of his impending departure.
The purpose of the contact was to discover whether Alonso had any interest beyond Bayern Leverkusen, who currently sit at the top of the table. Bundesliga.
The former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder finally broke his silence on the Anfield rumors last week, saying: “At the moment I am very happy here and enjoying my work.
“Every day and every match is a challenge. We are in an intense and beautiful journey here at Leverkusen.
“Speculation is normal, but I have a lot of respect and admiration for what Jurgen has done Liverpool.”
Other candidates for the position include Roberto De Zerbi of Brighton, Ruben Amorim of Sporting and Germany's Julian Nagelsmann.