Liverpool cult hero names the manager who will succeed Jurgen Klopp, praising his 'possession-based game'

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is only contracted for another 18 months at Anfield

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp acknowledges the fans following the team's defeat in the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 match between Toulouse FC and Liverpool FC at Stadium de Toulouse on November 09, 2023 in Toulouse, France.
(Image credit: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is set to leave in 2025 at current when his contract comes to a close – but one former Reds star has given his say on who should step into the dugout.

Boudewijn Zenden spent two years on Merseyside, moving from Middlesbrough in 2005 after Liverpool had won the Champions League with Rafa Benitez. Zenden would stay until the next European showpiece, losing in the final this time, again, after AC Milan in 2007.

Now, the Dutchman has had his say on who he would like to see replace the iconic Klopp, nominating a former team-mate for the role in the future.

Liverpool and Chelsea star Bolo Zenden's Perfect XI: Steven Gerrard (L) and Boudewijn Zenden of Liverpool warm up during the Liverpool training session prior to the UEFA Champions League Final between AC Milan and Liverpool at the Olympic Stadium on May 22, 2007 in Athens, Greece.

Bolo Zenden played alongside some iconic names at Anfield (Image credit: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

"I played with Xabi Alonso at Liverpool, and I can understand why people are saying he could be the solution when Klopp leaves," Zenden told TG Casinos. 

"I think Jurgen is doing a great job at the moment and he's here to stay for many more years. There's no doubt that Alonso is doing great things at Bayer Leverkusen - who aren't a small team.

"To be able to compete with the likes of Dortmund and Bayern isn't easy, but he's doing really well and he has a certain style of play and his own ideas of how to play. He likes to play a possession-based game and create things from there. It's offensive, and it's caught the eye of a lot of people. 

Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso was a Liverpool legend (Image credit: Getty)

"We have to ask if Liverpool is the right fit for him at the moment, but Xabi is in the right place. I don't think moving to Liverpool will happen on the back of one successful year – he has to prove himself over the next few years and keep the momentum going."

Alonso has managed a 61.11 per cent win percentage while at the Bayer Arena. 

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Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.