Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James has thrown Edin Terzic’s name into the frame alongside fellow Bundesliga boss Xabi Alonso following Jurgen Klopp’s impending departure from the Premier League giants.
Almost immediately after that statement emerged on Friday morning, the name of Xabi Alonso was being chanted in unison by many on the red side of Stanley Park.
But while Alonso is understandably the early frontrunner to take Jurgen Klopp’s place – and not just because he ‘knows the club’ either – a former Liverpool number one feels there is another sprightly, young, Bundesliga-based coach capable of stepping into the shoes vacated by a truly iconic Premier League tactician.
Liverpol tipped for Edin Terzic swoop
“Xabi Alonso is an interesting one. This is a guy who is doing super well in the Bundesliga and he will have a host of clubs interested in him,” James tells Sky Sports of a man who has led unbeaten Leverkusen to 24 wins from 27 this season.
“So, in a way, he’s got options to make the choice rather than just his love for Liverpool overriding any decision he may make.
“Obviously, he may decide to stay at Leverkusen.
“If I can, Dortmund’s Edin Terzic could be an option. He’s done a fantastic job with Dortmund. And with Jurgen Klopp coming from Dortmund, there seems to be a nice bit of synergy there.”
Their shared BVB background is unlikely to be enough, however, for Terzic to emerge as a genuine contender to the Liverpool throne. While the 41-year-old German did lead Dortmund to within minutes of a league title last season, Terzic – who had a spell as an assistant coach at West Ham – is another Dortmund boss struggling to escape Klopp’s long shadow.
What’s more, Die Schwarzgelben have endured a rather unhappy domestic campaign this term. They are currently five points and 15 points adrift of Alonso’s table-topping Leverkusen.
Xabi Alonso favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp
“For Liverpool, they will already have a list of managers they will be keeping an eye on,” James adds. “There may be people we haven’t even talked about.”
One name understood to be in contention, HITC Football reports, is Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto de Zerbi. As things stand, however, Alonso remains the obvious frontrunner, even if the World Cup winner is keen to pour cold water on the speculation.
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