PODCAST: The one we never wanted to record - Jurgen Klopp is leaving

[Code]

Just now, JohnnyH said:

Is what my honest opinion?

All the stuff about Alonso. 

[JohnnyH]

7 minutes ago, Code said:

All the stuff about Alonso. 

What stuff? Be specific. I only ask as I think my opinion is entirely fair and sensible but people are applying preconceived views to it. So far Stu Monty on twitter seems to be the only one who’s actually read them and replied that they were entirely fair concerns. 

[Code]

25 minutes ago, JohnnyH said:

What stuff? Be specific. I only ask as I think my opinion is entirely fair and sensible but people are applying preconceived views to it. So far Stu Monty on twitter seems to be the only one who’s actually read them and replied that they were entirely fair concerns. 

Too much to choose from to be specific.

 

 I edited the post while you were replying I think, maybe it makes more sense if you read the edit. 

 

https://www.liverpoolway.co.uk/index.php?/search/&q=«Alonso»&author=JohnnyH&search_and_or=or

[kemskem]

He jokingly mentioned in a press conference a while back that he’s not the best sleeper so until he can sort that issue out maybe he wouldn’t contemplate coming back, who knows.

 

I used to think with the benefit of hindsight that Evans would have been the best appointment in 1991 with the possibility of Kenny returning, but it looks like that sort of thing is not happening here.

[JohnnyH]

12 minutes ago, Code said:

Too much to choose from to be specific.

 

 I edited the post while you were replying I think, maybe it makes more sense if you read the edit. 

 

https://www.liverpoolway.co.uk/index.php?/search/&q=«Alonso»&author=JohnnyH&search_and_or=or

I can’t see any edit I’m afraid. But as you won’t be specific, I’ll try:

 

- This is an abnormal situation whereby a club is replacing a manager from a position of strength (i.e. not a sacking) and handing the next manager a title challenging squad on day one. 
 

- With that fantastic squad in mind, if we get this next appointment right, then there is no reason we can’t continue to challenge for the title next season and have a real run at the Champions League.   Conversely, if we get it wrong we waste a huge opportunity and run the risk of key players wanting to leave. 
 

- With regards to everyone’s favourite; Alonso has done superbly this season and looks to be doing some interesting work. However, I’ve only read a small bit and seen a small bit. So I don’t have a fully formed opinion of his ability. But there’s also a reason for that and that’s that he’s also only in his first full season with a 1st team in a top league, so no one really has a fully formed view of his ability.  So by any measurement it is a risk to hand such a new manager a team immediately expected to challenge for the very biggest prizes in one of the most difficult leagues there is.  If this was 2016 and we were shite then I’d have no problem with it being Alonso as he could have time to learn on the job. 
 

- And what happens if the wheels fall off in the 2nd half of this Leverkusen season? Does Alonso all of a sudden become a bad manager?  Basically, the sample size is far too small. 
 

- as someone else had said, if Frank Lampard, or Ryan Giggs, or Xavi, or any other big name non-LFC former player and now new managers had this exact same initial managerial career, every single person on this forum would dismiss them out of hand as an option stating it was far too soon.
 

- that doesn’t mean Alonso is a bad manager. Far from it. In fact, the only evidence we have to hand as I write is that he has the makings of a really interesting and good manager.  But again, I believe this next appointment is far too important to take any risk we don’t have to take. We didn’t take an emotional risk with Klopp; we got the very best out there. It’s no coincidence that that coincided with our most successful spell since the 1990. 

 

- And finally. And importantly. If we end up with Alonso as manager I’ll be absolutely fine with it as I believe that the club will do full due diligence and will deem him the best man for the job available to us. My personal dislike of him has zero bearing on my 100% wish that he wins everything and in the perfect world goes down in history as our greatest manager ever. He ends up being the Paisley to Klopps Shanks. 

- So, in brief.  I think it’s too soon for Alonso because I believe that the squad Klopp will leave is not one we should be taking any risks with and in fact we should be getting in someone as big as we can. I said before I’d like De Zerbi but I’m changing my mind on that. I’d like an Ancelotti type. Yes, he managed Everton for 5 minutes, but I don’t care. In the same way I don’t care about Alonso’s past that annoyed me if he ends up manager.  Ancelotti (or similar) for 2 seasons allowing Alonso prove his worth for a few more seasons at Leverkusen in the knowledge that if he does prove his worth then he’s next in line for us, would be perfect. If he truly “gets us” then surely he’d be ok with that?

 

 

 

So there we go. That’s my take. I don’t think it’s outlandish. It just comes from a risk-adverse view at this most critical appointment since Kenny took over from Fagan. 

[Code]

No problem with anyone having a different view,  I've just always thought the dislike view was kind of a joke and not your actual view of him. 

[JohnnyH]

Just now, Code said:

No problem with anyone having a different view,  I've just always thought the dislike view was kind of a joke and not your actual view of him. 

So what you’re saying is I just need to write that I don’t like him instead of all that other stuff?

[Code]

4 minutes ago, JohnnyH said:

So what you’re saying is I just need to write that I don’t like him instead of all that other stuff?

 

Haha, yes that was the actual question yes. But I always appreciate a different view on things.

[Paul]

“My personal dislike of [Xabi Alonso]” is genuinely right up there with the very weirdest opinions I’ve ever heard from Liverpool fans. 

[Paul]

By the way Johnny, if the only person who agrees with you is the biggest ultra contrarian in the western world, then you’ve had a Weston. 

[JohnnyH]

1 minute ago, Paul said:

By the way Johnny, if the only person who agrees with you is the biggest ultra contrarian in the western world, then you’ve had a Weston. 

So all the stuff I’ve written above about my concern related to his inexperience is outlandish? 

[JohnnyH]

3 minutes ago, Paul said:

“My personal dislike of [Xabi Alonso]” is genuinely right up there with the very weirdest opinions I’ve ever heard from Liverpool fans. 

I dislike the person. I loved the player. If you thank that’s “weird” then fine.  

[dave u]

The flaw in the Ancelotti plan though Johnny, is surely that he's very much a short term, think about the now type of manager and isn't going to be focusing on developing the young players we've got coming through?

 

Plus the fact he was Everton manager so fuck him.

 

We can't be making a short term appointment, and whoever it is will carry a large element of risk. Giving Kenny the job when Fagan left was a massive risk too, as he had less experience than Alonso.

 

I'd say Alonso ticks far more boxes than anybody else. The achieved something as a manager box could be ticked off at the end of the season if he's got a Bundesliga title, or *gulps* a Europa League!

[lifetime fan]

*Thinks of defending Johnny…*
 

Nah, fuck it. 
 

I can’t believe you hate our new manager, is it because he’s so handsome? 

[JohnnyH]

8 minutes ago, dave u said:

The flaw in the Ancelotti plan though Johnny, is surely that he's very much a short term, think about the now type of manager and isn't going to be focusing on developing the young players we've got coming through?

 

Plus the fact he was Everton manager so fuck him.

 

We can't be making a short term appointment, and whoever it is will carry a large element of risk. Giving Kenny the job when Fagan left was a massive risk too, as he had less experience than Alonso.

 

I'd say Alonso ticks far more boxes than anybody else. The achieved something as a manager box could be ticked off at the end of the season if he's got a Bundesliga title, or *gulps* a Europa League!

The Ancelotti plan (and it’s anything but a well thought out plan) is precisely so it’d be short term. It could allow Alonso another season or two so he knows and we know he’s ready, and then he could take over. 
 

But I’ve no real idea who I want. It might end up being Alonso when we actually know our options. I’m just nervous of wasting a chance to continue our success. But I appreciate what you’re saying and if Leverkusen went in to win the title then he should be a shoe-in. 

[Lee909]

Why is there any talk of Ancelotti after he signed a new deal with Madrid till 2026

[JohnnyH]

4 minutes ago, Lee909 said:

Why is there any talk of Ancelotti after he signed a new deal with Madrid till 2026

Alonso’s contract is until 2026 too. All contracts can be broken. 

[Code]

If Leverkusen win the league after the Boniface injury it will be nothing short of a miracle.

 

He’s out until April. 

 

 

[Code]

4 minutes ago, JohnnyH said:

Alonso’s contract is until 2026 too. All contracts can be broken. 

He has a well known clause in his contract that he can leave if we, Real or Bayern comes in for him. 

[JohnnyH]

1 minute ago, Code said:

He has a well known clause in his contract that he can leave if we, Real or Bayern comes in for him. 

I forgot about that report. 

[Lee909]

Ancelotti isn't breaking his deal with Madrid. He's got probably the best young squad in Europe there and he's in half retirement with it. Taking over a rebuild and new project is t what he would be looking for. 

 

There's talk there is no proper clause in Xabi contract but it's a handshake agreement he can leave for the three clubs

 

 

 

[Moo]

Why would Ancelotti leave Madrid for LFC? When he took the Everton job he'd just been sacked by Napoli. 

[Lee909]

Xabi is the guy for me. A bit of a reason is that next year will be tough. Trying to install new ideas with little preseason with the Euros and Copa America will be tough. Not to mention some nations trying to get players at the Olympics. Whoever gets the job needs time amd patience and Xabi will get more of that than most

[JohnnyH]

5 minutes ago, Code said:

If Leverkusen win the league after the Boniface injury it will be nothing short of a miracle.

 

He’s out until April. 

 

 

Chances are they’ll finish 2nd due to Bayerns dominant position. But 2nd would still be a very good performance.  The season before Alonso took over they finished 3rd, but top 6 seems to be their standard with the odd top 4, but 2nd would still be a very impressive performance. 

[Code]

Yes absolutely , being the only unbeaten team in the European top leagues going into February is pretty impressive by itself. 
 

What I do inow is that I will pay a lot more attention to the Bundesliga than usual the coming months.

 

Considering the position they are in, it would be madness not to try and get another striker in during the window. 
 

They only have a netspend of €13,6 million this season, so you would think it could be possible.