Sadly, Zidane, who was supposed to replace Jurgen Klopp, was just confirmed dead by the BBC today.
A Portuguese newspaper reveals a significant clue when a BBC man gives Liverpool three reasons why Ruben Amorim is better than Xabi Alonso.
Pearson, Steve Four hours prior
Three reasons why Ruben Amorim, the new top target, is better than Xabi Alonso have been provided to Liverpool.
It’s clear why Liverpool avoided a disaster by passing up on Xabi Alonso; a BBC reporter outlines three reasons why Ruben Amorim, the team’s new top target, is still a better option.
The Reds have identified Xabi Alonso of Bayer Leverkusen as their top choice to succeed Jurgen Klopp. After the season ends, Klopp will depart from Liverpool and take a break before considering his next course of action.
With a commanding 10-point lead over Bayern Munich, Alonso has done wonders at Leverkusen and looks poised to lead his team to their first-ever Bundesliga championship.
It had been suggested that Leverkusen should become a conquering hero and leave to join Liverpool or Bayern Munich. With Thomas Tuchel expected to depart Bayern at the end of the current season, both clubs are looking for a new manager.
But last night, rumors circulated that Alonso might stay with Leverkusen for a minimum of another season.
Fabrizio Romano now claims that Alonso’s final decision to stick with Leverkusen will be revealed very soon.
Alonso is still committed to Leverkusen.
Romano took to X and said, “Xabi Alonso is expected to remain at Bayer Leverkusen; a public announcement will be made soon.”
“Xabi has decided to stay for an additional season, and this has been confirmed.”
There is a release clause in Alonso’s current contract with Leverkusen, but it won’t be activated until 2025.
Sadly, that schedule does not align with Liverpool’s and Bayern Munich’s immediate need for a new manager.
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Three arguments in favor of Amorim
Numerous reliable sources, including Paul Joyce of the Times and Romano, have indicated that Liverpool is now considering a move for Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim.
Even though Amorim is only 39 years old, he is actually three years younger than Alonso and has almost five full seasons of senior management experience. Before moving to Sporting in 2020, Amorim spent eighteen months managing Braga. Alonso has only been a senior manager for two seasons.
That additional experience is one of three reasons, according to BBC reporter Chris Bertram, why Amorim might be a better option overall for Liverpool’s owners FSG.
Bertram also cited Amorim’s prior success in the top position as evidence that he can overcome hardship.
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In the 2020–21 season, Amorim led Sporting to their first league championship in 19 years. His team unexpectedly dropped to fourth place last season after finishing second the year before.
But Amorim has proven he can overcome hardship, and he’s presently leading the table once more. In the Primeira Liga, Sporting leads Benfica by a point at the moment and still has a game in hand.
In addition, Amorim has demonstrated that he can still seriously contend for the championship even after losing some of his best players.
During Amorim’s tenure, Matheus Nunes and Joao Palhinha—who are currently with Manchester City and Fulham—were both sold.
The fact that Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mohamed Salah all have contracts expiring in 2025 suggests that Liverpool may find it especially important to maintain their ability to withstand high-profile departures while still contending for championships.
Portuguese newspaper heads to Liverpool with Amorim
Another major clue was revealed on Friday morning when Amorim was featured as the main story on the front page of the Portuguese newspaper Record.
“Liverpool aperta Amorim,” which translates to “Liverpool squeeze Amorim,” was the headline.
For more than a month, the Portuguese media has been promoting Liverpool as Amorim’s next destination; it is implied that the Alonso news has only increased the likelihood that Amorim will end up at Anfield.
Moreover, their subheading stated, “Italian [Roberto De] Zerbi is also on the list; Reds want to meet with coach at the end of the season.”
Liverpool can exercise the release clause in Amorim’s current Lisbon contract this summer. Although estimates of its value have varied, most sources concur that €20 million is the magic amount.
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