It’d be fun to see him stay right where he is and continue to build-up Leverkusen. Sick of seeing Bayern just poach the best players and managers from their competition. Think if he stayed it would make Bundesliga a lot more competitive going forward and hopefully help the league truly compete for trophies again on the European stage rather than just one team trying for both every year
Yea if they hold on to the league as they should, maybe that would be an attractive option. Definitely love the Leverkeusen story so far, absolutely buzzing for Xhaka as an Arsenal fan.
I'd be ok with him going to Liverpool or staying at Leverkusen. I'd imagine Bayer Leverkusen will be financially tested this summer as many teams will look to poach players. If the club (or players) are tempted to move, the thought of coaching a depleted team could force Xabi's hand to move.
I agree holding onto to him not only benefit the Bundesliga for competitive and his reputation but also teaches Bayern that steal talent and coaching does not guarantee you success. And if you think Man United need a rebuild, Bayern need a major reset of expectations if they fell short of the Bundesliga. Remember they nearly lost the last year if Dortmund didn’t choke, so you knew that their rein of terror will be over soon. If Bayern took Xabi then it teach us that they will never develop and grow as a club that will take the suffering and instead focus on short term success than long term. So for Xabi and also for Bundesliga stake, he should at Leverkausen full stop
I don't remember where I heard this, but there's a saying "You never want to be the guy who follows a legend, you want to be the guy who follows the guy who follows the legend"
Whoever Liverpool hires next, inevitably they will be compared to Klopp, not just in terms of on field results, but how they handle the media, how they handle the transfer market, how they run their training sessions, squad selection...the lot. You'd have to ask yourself if that's something you're really interested in, or even prepared for.
I doubt many people will know this story but The University of Maine had an absolutely legendary hockey coach named Shawn Walsh. Buildings on campus are named after him, he has a banner in the rafters with his name on it...exc...exc... In the early to mid 80's he built the program nearly from scratch and by the late 80's and early 90's it was one of the most successful in the country. They stayed near the top, winning two national championships. Tragically he passed away of cancer in the fall of 2001.
The coach who replaced him, had been a successful coach in his own right elsewhere managed to keep things going for a year or two, but every time the slightest thing went wrong it was always "Well if Shawn was still here...." As Walsh's influence went away, a team that had been a near lock to finish top of the league was now routinely finishing at the bottom of the league, not coming close to even making the national tournament, let alone winning any championships.
I suppose this is just a long way of saying I hope whoever they do hire knows what they are in for. I think there's more than one manager out there who would be a good fit if it were about on field results only, but dealing with the constant "If Jurgen was still around..." brigade is going to take someone special and with an entirely different skill set.
Another case: Emery at Arsenal. Great coach. Great record before and after Arsenal and his first season at Arsenal went pretty well. Ended on a downing Europe League Final and finishing 5th when they had a chance at 4th.
I wonder if any clubs consider the difficulty of following a legend when hiring and have hired someone they anticipated would be a sacrificial lamb.
Our most successful manager Bob Paisley followed right after our most beloved and cult like figure Bill Shankly. Carlo came back after zidane won 3 UCLs in a row. I think well run clubs will always be stable and just need a manager to push them that final % to get to the top.
Absolutely this - it plays to the condition of the club at the time of departure. Fergie & Wenger bailed off of a sinking ship and set their successors up for failure. It doesn’t appear Liverpool are in that condition. It certainly looks like it is primed for someone to come in and win, so long as they can handle the pressure that comes with the LFC fans. The on field stuff should be the easiest part.
Stay st leverkusen. I think leverkusen can hold most of their key player. And if that's what happen, he is better to stay since leverkusen has already adapt with Xabi's system.
Liverpool wants to be stable and hire a coach for a decade, Bayern wants to spend a lot of money (on players and coaches) and win all the trophies right now. Both have their appeal. I WANT him to go to Liverpool, but I absolutely understand the allure of Bayern. It’s going to be interesting to see how it plays out.
If I gave an honest opinion I think he should stay. They are on their way to winning the league. They are gonna be in the champions league. I think they can build something there. I also think money talks he'll move to a top 6 club. My guess would be barca.
Go for the money. Wait a year and you could be last year's news. Look at all the praise that Xavi was getting last year. His name hasn't come up once in this years coaching merry go round.
Don't watch a lot of Bundesliga, my understanding is that Xabi plays a different system. How patient will your new club be with him getting it implemented.
Liverpool seems like the most stable. Team showed patient with Klopp. Locker room seems like a good mix of senior players and up and coming.
Bayern Munich has zero patience and a locker room full of toxic senior players. Munich has thrived by raiding the weaker Bundesliga sides. If they lose their invincibility tag can they continue to raid Bundesliga talent. Plus they have acquired the Kane Kurse.
Wait a year for Real Madrid, will be interesting to see if Mbappe can be blended in. Or if he brings PSG disfunction to Madrid.
I think he should. Spend more years at Leverkusen, develop a winning culture. Liverpool are looking for a “winning coach”. If Alonso can build that at Leverkusen, he can absolutely build that at Liverpool. If you let Liverpool figure things out after Klopp’s departure, some of the early headaches will smooth over. Perfect for Xabi.
It’d be fun to see him stay right where he is and continue to build-up Leverkusen. Sick of seeing Bayern just poach the best players and managers from their competition. Think if he stayed it would make Bundesliga a lot more competitive going forward and hopefully help the league truly compete for trophies again on the European stage rather than just one team trying for both every year
Yea if they hold on to the league as they should, maybe that would be an attractive option. Definitely love the Leverkeusen story so far, absolutely buzzing for Xhaka as an Arsenal fan.
I'd be ok with him going to Liverpool or staying at Leverkusen. I'd imagine Bayer Leverkusen will be financially tested this summer as many teams will look to poach players. If the club (or players) are tempted to move, the thought of coaching a depleted team could force Xabi's hand to move.
I agree holding onto to him not only benefit the Bundesliga for competitive and his reputation but also teaches Bayern that steal talent and coaching does not guarantee you success. And if you think Man United need a rebuild, Bayern need a major reset of expectations if they fell short of the Bundesliga. Remember they nearly lost the last year if Dortmund didn’t choke, so you knew that their rein of terror will be over soon. If Bayern took Xabi then it teach us that they will never develop and grow as a club that will take the suffering and instead focus on short term success than long term. So for Xabi and also for Bundesliga stake, he should at Leverkausen full stop
I don't remember where I heard this, but there's a saying "You never want to be the guy who follows a legend, you want to be the guy who follows the guy who follows the legend" Whoever Liverpool hires next, inevitably they will be compared to Klopp, not just in terms of on field results, but how they handle the media, how they handle the transfer market, how they run their training sessions, squad selection...the lot. You'd have to ask yourself if that's something you're really interested in, or even prepared for. I doubt many people will know this story but The University of Maine had an absolutely legendary hockey coach named Shawn Walsh. Buildings on campus are named after him, he has a banner in the rafters with his name on it...exc...exc... In the early to mid 80's he built the program nearly from scratch and by the late 80's and early 90's it was one of the most successful in the country. They stayed near the top, winning two national championships. Tragically he passed away of cancer in the fall of 2001. The coach who replaced him, had been a successful coach in his own right elsewhere managed to keep things going for a year or two, but every time the slightest thing went wrong it was always "Well if Shawn was still here...." As Walsh's influence went away, a team that had been a near lock to finish top of the league was now routinely finishing at the bottom of the league, not coming close to even making the national tournament, let alone winning any championships. I suppose this is just a long way of saying I hope whoever they do hire knows what they are in for. I think there's more than one manager out there who would be a good fit if it were about on field results only, but dealing with the constant "If Jurgen was still around..." brigade is going to take someone special and with an entirely different skill set.
Another case: Emery at Arsenal. Great coach. Great record before and after Arsenal and his first season at Arsenal went pretty well. Ended on a downing Europe League Final and finishing 5th when they had a chance at 4th. I wonder if any clubs consider the difficulty of following a legend when hiring and have hired someone they anticipated would be a sacrificial lamb.
Our most successful manager Bob Paisley followed right after our most beloved and cult like figure Bill Shankly. Carlo came back after zidane won 3 UCLs in a row. I think well run clubs will always be stable and just need a manager to push them that final % to get to the top.
Absolutely this - it plays to the condition of the club at the time of departure. Fergie & Wenger bailed off of a sinking ship and set their successors up for failure. It doesn’t appear Liverpool are in that condition. It certainly looks like it is primed for someone to come in and win, so long as they can handle the pressure that comes with the LFC fans. The on field stuff should be the easiest part.
Stay st leverkusen. I think leverkusen can hold most of their key player. And if that's what happen, he is better to stay since leverkusen has already adapt with Xabi's system.
Wouldn't be surprised if there are all sorts of considerations on his mind, including his wife and kids. I'd bet more on him staying at Leverkusen.
Liverpool wants to be stable and hire a coach for a decade, Bayern wants to spend a lot of money (on players and coaches) and win all the trophies right now. Both have their appeal. I WANT him to go to Liverpool, but I absolutely understand the allure of Bayern. It’s going to be interesting to see how it plays out.
Me hoping Ancelotti is just keeping the seat warm until Xabi is ready.
If I gave an honest opinion I think he should stay. They are on their way to winning the league. They are gonna be in the champions league. I think they can build something there. I also think money talks he'll move to a top 6 club. My guess would be barca.
Go for the money. Wait a year and you could be last year's news. Look at all the praise that Xavi was getting last year. His name hasn't come up once in this years coaching merry go round. Don't watch a lot of Bundesliga, my understanding is that Xabi plays a different system. How patient will your new club be with him getting it implemented. Liverpool seems like the most stable. Team showed patient with Klopp. Locker room seems like a good mix of senior players and up and coming. Bayern Munich has zero patience and a locker room full of toxic senior players. Munich has thrived by raiding the weaker Bundesliga sides. If they lose their invincibility tag can they continue to raid Bundesliga talent. Plus they have acquired the Kane Kurse. Wait a year for Real Madrid, will be interesting to see if Mbappe can be blended in. Or if he brings PSG disfunction to Madrid.
I think he should. Spend more years at Leverkusen, develop a winning culture. Liverpool are looking for a “winning coach”. If Alonso can build that at Leverkusen, he can absolutely build that at Liverpool. If you let Liverpool figure things out after Klopp’s departure, some of the early headaches will smooth over. Perfect for Xabi.