The whole gossip of him leaving was started by the media, he has a contract till 2026 so he hasn't snubbed anyone, he never seemed to hint he was leaving but the media were desperate to make a story out of it.

Southgate would be a good fit. Liverpool pundits seemed to think very highly of him last week.

Simon's new book should be called "Did you get what you wished for?" 😅😂 after his already published and successful book, "be careful what you wish for..." ❤

If he has another successful season he'll be off to Madrid at the end of next season when carlo leaves

Smart Move by Xabi Alonso: Staying to prove this is not just a one-off season like Leicester, Napoli or Montpellier. He knows enough opportunities will arise in the future with Liverpool, Bayern and Real Madrid. (Especially Bayern and Madrid who are tigger-happy with their managers due to the high expectations in their leagues).

Not often I post this but I suspect Simon has it spot on in his assessment, I'd totally agree that Liverpool have know for some time that Xabi was going to remain at Leverkusen for the foreseeable future. By the way, I'm a Liverpool match going supporter and I can assure you that this won't come as a shock to anyone, most of us have suspected that for some time now. The only other thing I'd add to that is that Liverpool FC are handling this brilliantly and keeping everything 'in house' in my opinion, all the various links to Jurgens successor are 100% media driven. We have the right people in place to make the correct call on our next appointment and as supporters our focus is on what we still might achieve in what remains of Jurgen's tenure.

Southgate is the perfect man for Liverpool... He's got that genius touch and mindsets.. Once he takes the wheel at Liverpool, Nobody can touch them.. anyone who stands in their way would feel their wrath

One word - SMART. You don't just happen to play in legendary Madrid and Bayern teams and win trophies, while working under two of the best managers (Jose and Pep) by fluke. He has lived different cultures and speaks different languages. Alonso is intelligent, articulate, and knows EXACTLY what he's doing. He will manage in the Champions League next season, where no one is expecting Leverkeusen to pull up any trees. If they do well again in the Bundesliga, he'll get credit. But if they don't, it'll be attributed to their European exertions, players being bought by other clubs, etc. He will not be faulted and his reputation will remain intact. He will also be seen as someone that is loyal and does not abandon projects at the first sight of a better opportunity. That's a win-win-win scenario if I ever saw one. Contrast that with going to Pool, where Klopp's shadow looms large. Let someone else step in and fail there. Also, why go to Bayern, where it's a circus? Even adding the best striker and defender in Europe - Kane and Kim - they could not win anything. They have deep-rooted problems that need sorting out. Instead, Alonso can just stay put at Leverkeusen and bide his time until Ancelotti leaves Madrid in 2026, and then he can go take over Los Blancos where he will manage Vinicius, Bellingham, and M'Bappe - all potential Ballon D'or winners! PS: And there is also the small matter of this player called Endrick!

Everybody is missing the point. Alonso has his eye on the Real Madrid job that's why he wants to stay at his current job for one more year and when Ancelloti leaves Madrid he wants to take that job.

Southgate, Bruce, Big Sam, Liverpool can pick who they want! 😂

I don't know why Emery isn't part of the coversation. He's been diligently doing such an effective job at Villa with more limited resources.

Liverpool fan - dont blame him, he's still relatively new in managing, he's loved where he is and Bayern like sacking people and replacing Klopp is risky- best move for him is to stay. I doubt it would put FSG off him longtern, but i also think it was the fans who really wanted him, and the owners were always looking at their own people.

Pep Lijnders doesn’t want the job, he done an interview saying he started with Klopp and will end with Klopp… so it’s not a case of Liverpool should appoint him for continuity…. Alonso has got to make the right choice for his career and respect that no matter what, I am not a De Zerbi fan

Roy Hodgson might say yes. Bring back the LFC legend 😂😂

Southgate to liverpool. He is the best manager to replace klopp. Dedication, style of play, winning mentality...he has it all.

I'm.a Liverpool fan of 35+ years. I believe, if true of reports, that Alonso has made the right decision. He's not experienced enough yet to take over from Klopp. If he can continue to make waves in Germany, then, maybe in 3-4 years time he could take over the Anfield dug out. I'd like to see Amorim from Portugal take over. Highly rated by Pep and has a track record of giving youth a chance. De Zerbi I wouldn't have and a definite NO to Gerrard. As for Southgate, he shouldn't even be mentioned for the job!

I hear Wayne Rooney is available

I agree with Simon. The club apparently knew in October that Klopp was leaving so I'm not sure that Xabi would've even been an option then. Would FSG look to appoint a relatively inexperienced manager again, following the Rogers experiment? No, they have learned that the most important thing is to get the structure in place first, and then go after their man. Edwards and Hughes now in place so I have no concerns about who we appoint as our next manager. Klopp has shown it isn't about the individual, it's about the collective and that's why we'll continue to be successful where others have failed.

It's got to be Southgate

This has nothing to do with following Klopp anyone saying this has no clue it's all about him wanting to stay and work at a club that gave him a chance. Leaving the players after so short of a time isn't that cool either. He wants more experience as well. Good choice by Alonso. Respect. But it has nothing to do with following Klopp in any way. We'll probably go for Amorim. If we go for De Zerbi I will be hugely disappointed.

Chris Wilder and Roy Keane would be the dream team for Liverpool.

Xabi was never coming to Liverpool.. He and his team have achieved too much beyond expectations to just walk away. He was always going to stay at Leverkusen another year. In regards to the next manager of LFC, personally I trust Michael Edwards and co to make the best decision for the club.

Xabi wants to go to Real Madrid. This has nothing to do with following Klopp

Unai Emery is the most experienced, qualified, and successful option. He’s got multiple European and domestic trophies and knows the PL.

People claiming the Liverpool job is too big have missed the point. Look at lampard when he took Chelsea job.

If Alonso hadn’t been a Liverpool player he would simply be a very promising manager who so far has an excellent record but hasn’t been tested long term or at Premiership level. He did well at Real Sociedad and has done extremely well at Leverkusen but a move to Liverpool would be a risk both for him and for the club. Who ever does come, there are no guarantees of success but it does make sense to pick someone with more experience. In my time supporting Liverpool the next manager will be my 14th. Klopp leaving is disappointing but it’s not the end of the world and it was inevitable at some point anyway.

My top three. Southgate, Gerrard, Big Sam

‘I smell a whiff of conte’. Great line Simon

I would have Thomas Frank over De Zerbi.

I don't buy this narrative of 'Liverpool weren't sitting on their hands'. I think there's an element of shock in the Liverpool system, with Klopp's impending departure. they may be totally messed up if they get this wrong. And they know it.

Why do people always turn Liverpool down? They’re quite a big club but players managers and execs are always turning them down, i dont get why

Slippy G here we go ‼️‼️

As a Sporting fan, Amorim would be a perfect fit for Liverpool

Jim’s book title: Lucky Jocker

He would never say no if it was Madrid

I'm an LFC fan, and I agree it was a sensible decision. First season as a senior football manager. Looks like he'll win the Bundesliga but he said himself he wanted to prove himself at wherever he was. So Champions League with Leverkusen would be to much of a tempting bind.

The Klopp is ticking. Time to find another great manager.

6:28 Ansu Fatsy

There's nothing worse than replacing a manager who will either win or come close to winning the title + couple of other throphies as well and is also considered a legend by the fans. You're destined to fail. As for Bayern, he just beat them with Leverkusen, why would he jump ship now? Makes perfect sense to stay for now.

Liverpool was only heavily linked due to media not Liverpool football club

Ange - no! Southgate - no! Mourinho- no, never! Tuchel - are you joking?

How many times this week has Simon said he spoke to Michael Ballack last week? 🤔

Taking a job at an huge club like Liverpool is no easy task at any stage, for a fledgling manager following one of the best managers ever is almost an impossible task, a task that could end a young mangers successful start to his career and hopefully upward momentum. It is a sensible decision, a decision I respect and understand. I both hope he doesn't regret it, but also hope he goes on to be one of the greats!

Disagree, he should’ve taken the jobs with both hands IF it was offered. These kind of top jobs don’t come often in football, it’s been 10 yrs at Liverpool since the job was available. With only one season success, very fortunate to being considered but we know it can turn very quickly in this game. Look at Stevie G for example. May regret in years to come.

After all your amazingly positive comments on David Moyes - surely you would recommend him for the Liverpool job ?

The Porto manager would do a good job at Liverpool or United but nobody is talking about him …am surprised

Excellent decision. Maybe he talked to Gerrard who would have advised caution.

Liverpool fans have been telling us for weeks its a done deal 😂😂😂 lets all laugh at them hahaha sinking ship.

Alonso would have been a great fit for Liverpool but i can understand him wanting an easier job and have less pressure

The way you guys speak of David Moyes, I'm surprised you didn't mention him for the job 🤭🤭

I think Bayern would be most likely next club for Alonso after Leverkusen and then Real after Bayern.

History has told us those managers who follow someone of huge influence often fail. SAF, Wenger, Pep etc and now Klopp. Alonso would be smart to take his time HOWEVER if he has a bad ssn next year I think Madrid walk away from signing him

Love Xabi but let’s be honest it’s nothing to do with Levekusen. He wants the Madrid job which he’ll need to wait another season for and he’ll probably be able to leverage the interest in him to get more money and a clause to leave for Madrid for free. You can’t fail at Madrid, they’ve got the best young talent in the world and they’ll give you plenty of money to spend. It’s every Spanish kids dream.

Alonso sees the Madrid job in the pipeline ancelotti won’t manage for much longer and that plethora of talent could have him there for 10 years if all goes well.

Well done to Xabi if he chooses to ride Leverkeusen success and become a club legend. As a Liverpool fan I agree with Klopp he is the outstanding manager.

Why is no one talking about Zindane? He's ready to go!!

Liverpool and FC Bayern must prioritize other coaches in Europe instead of relying on Xabi Alonso. Much obsession there, but REAL MADRID is aware and would monitor the situation until summer of 2025. It is highly recommended and a MUST for Real Madrid management, board of directors, coaching staff, people working in their club who are involved on the transfer-market to permanently sell who are currently out on loan to play for another football club, do not offer a loan with buy back clause or with a number or percentage rights, recall or return players that are currently on-loan by another football club to play for Real Madrid, ageing ((28) years old and above), inconsistent (due to limited playing time, never have played and always on the bench, poor defensively, not performing well) regardless of age, injury prone, those who are not comfortable playing in different position, that MUST happen on or before July 2027. We are referring to Modric, Kroos, José Ignacio Fernández Iglesias "Nacho", José Luis Mato Sanmartín "Joselu", Vasquez, Daniel Carvajal Ramos "Dani Carvajal", Courtois, Alaba, Rudiger, Arrizabalaga, Mendy, Daniel Ceballos Fernández "Dani Ceballos" Jesús Vallejo Lázaro "Jesus Vallejo", Francisco José García Torres "Fran Garcia", Diaz, Juan Miguel Latasa Fernández "Juanmi Latasa", Reinier Jesus Carvalho "Reinier", Rafael Marín Zamora "Rafa Marin", Nicolás "Nico" Paz Martínez, & Guler. Once they get sold these are the players should be sign based on their positions on or before July 2027. Right Back: Jesus Fortea, Malo Gusto Left Back: Alphonso Davies, Miguel Gutierrez Centre Back: William Saliba, Leny Yoro, Dean Huijsen Main Striker: Kylian Mbappe Lastly Real Madrid must never offer a contract to these players for a RIGHT BACK position, that are inconsistent regardless of age, poor defensively, has disadvantage of height and strength (lacks muscles), proven already that unable to stop wingers/strikers in different leagues, injury-prone, has beyond 60 million euro's transfer-market value, and ageing 27 years old and above, and turning 27 years old and above on year 2027. We are referring to Walker (33), Trippier (33), Di Lorenzo (30), Cancelo (29), Dumfries (27), White (26), Mazraoui (26), Wan-Bissaka (26), Alexander-Arnold (25), Hakimi (25), Tomiyasu (25), Royal (25), Dalot (25), Porro (24), James (24), Frimpong (23), Livramento (21), Couto (21), Bradley (20), Sanchez (20) and Fresneda (19).

Roberto DeServee (De Zerbi) Ruben Amorim and Thiago Motta all are perfect for Liverpool.

There’s always Potter..

Why on earth nobody is looking at simone inzaghi of inter. He has done exactly the same job klopp did at liverpool. They won the cup and now they are certainly going to win the league, took inter to champions league final. I think he should be in the conversation at least.

Go for Southgate

Smart decision, contrary to Lampard who is now burned as a coach.

The Simon Jordan seale of approval! The only pundit in the game who actually talks any sense!

It good for the Bundesliga and leverkusen . I am happy has a Bayern fan

Why isn't Danny Murphy advocating for Southgate to be Liverpool manager now hahahaha

Jordan not got a clue nearly finished off Palace

These chances may never come again. Nobody turns down Liverpool. Now it's better to not be the next man after Klopp. Pundits make it up as they go.

Simon always has to know best

The English media are so blinded by their own league. Alonso is a Spaniard and also a former Real Madrid player. Ancelotti is likely going to leave next summer so staying at Leverkusen makes sense for that. Bayern still in transition so should have every chance of winning the league again next season. If he went to Liverpool he’d likely not be available for the Real Madrid job and may well have a harder task of finding success with the powerhouse and money machine that is Man City to compete against.

Leverkusen winners this year and Champions League next year, why leave?It will be a big story if they play well next season

They skipped over the answer. Carlo Ancelloti is leaving after next season, why would Alonso sign a long term deal with Bayern and Liverpool when he can manage the best collection of young talents in the world?

I dont understand the Media spin

Amerim will not leave Sporting! I dont know why his name keeps being mentioned about joining a Prem club!!

Xabi choosing club with better fans😂

As a Liverpool fan I agree

Alonso has signed a contract with Bayer , but it doesn't mean that he still won't go to Liverpool if they buy it out.

As a Liverpool fan i think Southgate would be a great fit, i'm sure Murphy would agree

Southgate will be United Owner first choice to take Ten Hag if United doesn't qualify for Champions League.

Spilletti it will be!

Staying at Leverkusen with the goal of taking out Bayern again sounds attractive to me. Neverkusen now means never losing.

Talkshi&e never stop yapping when its something negative about Liverpool, anything positve they will try to turn it into a negative or ignore it - Alonso also decided against joining Bayern but you conveniently left that out of your clickbait headline

Liverpool won't be back in for him respect his decision but we only ask once

Xabi has to stay at Lererkusen because he must bring them the title, and at this stage they are looking very good. Ruling himself out at this stage just gives confidence to the club to push on and collect their prize. In an ideal world all speculation would be done in the closed season, controversy ,VAR,rumours good/bad refereeing thats football.

Absolute class from Alonso, to be expected.

Liverpool did not do anywork when Klopp told them. Thats why he came out to force them to get on with it.

Alonso didnt want to join a smaller club

Smart move. Leverkusen is easily the best club to never win their top flight cup, which they're probably going to do this season. If he wins a few more, he'll get a giant contract down the line, either from Leverkusen or someone bigger.

Van nistelrooy is probably on that list

Southgate are the next united legend

It is the most sensisble devision by alonso. He knows he isnt good enough for the premier league and it makes more sense to stay in bundesliga eith bayern or go to real where it will be easy titles.

Let’s get Inzaghi in as the manager. Experienced and can do a good job

“…continuity with the academy” what?!?!?!

I’m not even slightly surprised

If Simon is using the argument "who wants to follow a great" then Liverpool are out of luck as apparently nobody wants to take the job after Klopp.

Simon talks carp. Will he say the same thing if it is Manchester United ?

Can’t believe someone would turn down the almighty Premier League! The only good league in the whole world. Unbelievable!

The waistcoat southgate all day then armagedone 😂😂😂

Simon can do his knee slide now but i belive liverpool need a coach with a bit more experience better will come for liverpool 💯

Well we will see how sensible because those players that will win him the league this season will be in the market because people will offer ridiculous money for them and he will have to rebuild again

Must be infuriating. Zero noise on this from inside LFC. BTW it is only a good move for Alonso not to go to LFC if he were to go to LFC and then fail. If he were to go there and succeed, not going there is actually denying himself that opportunity to truly do the 'impossible.' After that, any job in football could be his, much like any job in football could be Klopp's now.