😭Rafa Benítez lost his beloved wife earlier today in a passengers plane,Ten dead, twenty-five injured confirmed by Fabrizio Romano 

😭Rafa Benítez lost his beloved wife earlier today in a passengers plane,Ten dead, twenty-five injured confirmed by Fabrizio Romano

‘I know something else’ – Rafa Benítez drops Liverpool hint after Jürgen Klopp exit announced
Rafa Benítez has given his thoughts on Jürgen Klopp’s decision to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, with the former Reds boss dropping an interesting hint.

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ByJames FindlaterContent Editor
17:30, 29 JAN 2024
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Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benítez has dropped a hint on Jürgen Klopp’s exit (Image: Celta Vigo)

Rafa Benítez has praised Jürgen Klopp following his announcement that he will Liverpool at the end of the season. The former Reds boss also hinted he may have an inside track on the club’s search for a new manager.

Klopp confirmed on Friday that he plans to step down from his role at the end of the current campaign. He will bring an end to almost nine years at Anfield, which has seen Liverpool’s fortunes revived.

The Reds remain in the hunt for four trophies this season, including the Premier League title as Klopp’s side leads the way, having gone past the halfway point in the campaign. The German of course ended Liverpool’s 30-year wait for a league title back in 2020, having led them to a sixth European crown the year before.

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news as Jürgen Klopp finds ‘Mohamed Salah replacement’ and $65m deal plotted

READ MORE: Xabi Alonso has signed his ‘own Fernando Torres’ as Liverpool considers Jürgen Klopp replacement

Benítez, now Celta Vigo boss, is still closely linked to Liverpool, having served as manager between 2004 and 2010, during which time he also claimed a Champions League title. The Spaniard’s connections have enabled him to lift the lid somewhat on Klopp’s impending exit.

“I have an advantage, which is that I have people in Liverpool and also people at the club, so more or less, I know how it has happened,” Benítez told reporters (via beIN SPORTS) I only have positive words about Klopp, because he is my friend and I have a good relationship with him.

“He has done and is doing an enormous job. Everything I can say about Klopp and Liverpool is positive.

“I know something else from inside, and it has more merit than being there. He goes and speaks up, giving the club time to re-organize, which, from another perspective, is also very German, because they do notify in advance, so it is not a shock.

“Let’s hope Liverpool will do well for now and when another coach comes too. I hope the best for the club.”

Liverpool.com says: That’s an interesting hint Benítez has dropped. It almost suggests that he has an inside line on Liverpool’s search for a new manager, and the discussions going on at Anfield.

We’re unlikely to get anything more than that out of him, but he did of course manage Xabi Alonso during his time at Anfield. We’ll have to wait and see…

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English coach backs Jurgen Klopp & Pep Guardiola ‘hybrid’ to become Liverpool’s next managerPhoto by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
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ENGLISH COACH BACKS JURGEN KLOPP & PEP GUARDIOLA ‘HYBRID’ TO BECOME LIVERPOOL’S NEXT MANAGER
Amir Mir
Amir Mir
Mon 29 January 2024 21:45, UK
The search for Jurgen Klopp’s successor is on at Liverpool, with the club facing its biggest task in decades and decades.

Players from Sadio Mane to Jordan Henderson can move on. The club can cope. But with Jurgen Klopp set to leave at the end of the season, this is the biggest of blows to Liverpool.

But who is set to become Liverpool’s next manager? And what type of style will need to be brought in?

Former Championship manager Gary Rowett says he is certain that Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso will be the next man in the Anfield dugout, as he told Sky Sports (27/01/24 at 2:25 pm).

The Englishman described Xabi Alonso as someone who is a hybrid of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, not a bad combination to have!

On paper, there is no doubt that the rising Spanish coach is the man for Liverpool.

But the only cloud over his head is his lack of experience, but that doesn’t worry Gary Rowett because he is backing Xabi Alonso to be the next man through Liverpool’s doors.

Next Liverpool manager
“I think Liverpool will throw heaven and earth to get Xabi Alonso,” said Rowett. “I think the reason why, yes he understands what it’s like to put on the shirt and he will have that instant synergy.

“He has been incredible with Leverkusen this season. They have been brilliant. And also, he has worked under Guardiola and Klopp. He is actually almost a hybrid when you watch his teams play. They are actually in between, so I think he is different enough, yet he still has that hallmark of somebody who could be successful.

“I would be surprised if he isn’t the next manager. I think he would be the next manager.”

Bayer 04 Leverkusen v VfL Bochum 1848 – Bundesliga
Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images
Will Liverpool fans want Xabi Alonso?
In terms of what the 42-year-old has on paper, he ticks many boxes. Plus, he is riding a wave, at the moment, which also helps.

The fact that Alonso is a former player and was a fan favourite during his time at the club, then that’s another big plus.

Then his style of play would be welcomed at Liverpool, so bearing that all in mind, it wouldn’t be a surprise if fans would back Alonso for the job.

Sources have already told HITC Football that the high-flying Leverkusen manager is on the club’s list.

What Liverpool also need to take into account is that the next manager needs to have the ability to win the Premier League title instantly.

The key players in that dressing room are the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. They aren’t at an age where they can build, they need the here and now.

MORE: Roy Hodgson comments on Michael Olise future amid Manchester United rumours

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Fabrizio Romano says Xabi Alonso is ‘candidate’ to replace Klopp at Liverpool
BY
DANNY RUST
PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO
Liverpool have identified Bayer Leverkusen chief Xabi Alonso as a contender to succeed Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield hot seat

HIGHLIGHTS
Liverpool have pinpointed Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso as their first-choice option to replace outgoing boss Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds are seeking their next manager after Klopp announced that he will walk away from Anfield at the end of the season.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano understands that John W. Henry and other key members of the Liverpool board are considering a move for Alonso.
Liverpool have identified Xabi Alonso as a ‘candidate’ to replace Jurgen Klopp at the Anfield helm, and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has exclusively told GIVEMESPORT whether the Merseyside giants have already entered discussions with Bayer Leverkusen to discover what it would take to prise him away from the Bundesliga table-toppers.

Klopp sent shockwaves through the football community when he announced that he will step down as the Reds’ boss at the end of the season, bringing the curtain down on a reign which has seen him end the club’s wait for a Premier League title and win the Champions League.

It has led to John W. Henry, who completed a £300million takeover of Liverpool in October 2010, and other key personnel behind the scenes turning their attentions towards seeking a successor to the German tactician ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Alonso pinpointed as leading contender for Reds job
Liverpool have earmarked Alonso as their first-choice target to replace Klopp in the dugout, according to Football Insider, and they have set their sights on launching an approach for the Leverkusen chief as they want to ensure they do not head into pre-season still in limbo.

The report suggests that the Reds are keen to discover whether the 42-year-old, who made 210 appearances for the Premier League outfit during his playing days, would be interested in taking the job after analysing potential contenders for the position over a two-month period.

Alonso has made a fruitful start to his managerial career and, having led Real Sociedad B to 40 wins from 98 matches, he has Leverkusen supporters dreaming of an unexpected Bundesliga title win as his charges are the only side in the German top flight to have remained unbeaten since the start of the campaign.

Xabi Alonso’s record at Bayer Leverkusen this season

Matches

28

Won

24

Drawn

4

Lost

0

Goals for

85

Goals against

20

Statistics according to Transfermarkt – Correct as of 29/1/2024

Respected reporter Dean Jones recently told GIVEMESPORT that the Spaniard is among the frontrunners for the Liverpool post, alongside Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann and Brighton & Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi, and his spell at Anfield before hanging up his boots means there is an emotional attachment to the club.

It is understood that Alonso has a clause written into his Leverkusen contract which would allow him to leave the Bay Arena if one of the clubs he played for comes calling, which means the likes of the Reds and La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid could pounce.

Liverpool are not the only side plotting a move for the World Cup winner as it has emerged that Bayern Munich are also considering luring him to the Allianz Arena, while his current employers are optimistic that he will be going nowhere in the summer.

Fabrizio Romano – Alonso is a firm candidate to succeed Klopp
Romano understands that Alonso – who has been described as the ‘outstanding candidate’ by Sky Sports reporter Melissa Reddy – has been identified as a contender to become Liverpool’s next manager in the summer, but they have stopped short of holding discussions with Leverkusen in the days after Klopp announced he is moving on.

The Italian journalist is aware that the Merseyside giants are preparing themselves for upheaval in the coming months as they are looking to make alterations behind the scenes as well as to the coaching staff ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Romano told GIVEMESPORT:

“They need a total rebuild. They need someone new added to the board, a new manager and new staff, so many things are going to change at Liverpool.

“From what I’m hearing, for sure, Xabi Alonso is a candidate they are considering. At the moment, there are no concrete conversations, so it is too early to say if Xabi Alonso will be the next Liverpool manager. But, for sure, he is a candidate.”

Phillips wanted by Championship trio
Blackburn Rovers are hopeful of landing Nat Phillips on loan for the remainder of the season, according to MailOnline, but Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side are facing stiff competition from two Championship rivals ahead of the February 1 transfer deadline.

The report suggests that Cardiff City are also keen on acquiring the central defender, who has made 29 appearances in a Liverpool shirt, while Leeds United have pinpointed him as a target as they aim to maintain their promotion push during the second half of the campaign.

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Why Xabi Alonso is the favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool
Klopp decided to recall Phillips from his loan spell at Celtic after he was only handed 404 minutes of action by the reigning Scottish Premiership champions, but another temporary switch appears to be on the cards as the closure of the winter window looms.

It is understood that Liverpool are open to offers for the 26-year-old, and they are willing to consider sending him out on loan again in a bid to secure much-needed game time as he is behind the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in the pecking order.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Danny Rust
(1044 Articles Published)
Having graduated with First Class Honours at the University of Kent’s Centre for Journalism in 2016, Danny has held positions in the industry for close to a decade.

Danny has worked for local newspapers, single-handedly covering more than 30 non-league clubs for the Essex Echo and its sister newspapers. Prior to that, he also had articles published in Millwall and Dagenham & Redbridge’s programmes, along with overseas content for The Portugal News.

Having been KMTV’s first Freelance Video Sports Journalist while still at university, meaning he has experience in broadcast journalism, Danny first joined Snack Media in July 2021. He has worked on the transfer news team, producing stories on Premier League sides and top-performing clubs in the Scottish Premiership and the Championship.

Danny has covered matches at some of the biggest arenas, including Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. His other interests include cricket, baseball and the NFL.

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Ex-Liverpool FC boss Rafael Benitez confirmed as new Real Madrid coach
Spanish manager takes charge at the Bernabeu on three-year deal

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BY KRISTIAN WALSH
10:15, 3 JUN 2015
Rafael Benitez
Rafael Benitez
Rafael Benitez has been confirmed as the new coach of Real Madrid on a three-year deal.

The former Liverpool FC boss will be presented as the new boss on Wednesday, having spent the past two days working at the club’s training centre and meeting with a number on the Real hierarchy, including director of institutional relations Emilio Butrageno.

Benitez, 55, has spent the past two seasons with Serie A side Napoli and won the Coppa Italia during his first year in charge.

But having already decided he was leaving Italy, the Spaniard failed to guide the Naples club to Champions League football at the end of this season.

IN PICTURES: Rafa’s Reds career

Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool FC career in pictures

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“I am ready, I can’t wait to be there,” Benitez told AS on Monday.He will replace Carlo Ancelotti, who was relieved of his duties at the end of the season after two years in charge.

Benitez returns to Real after 20 years away from his home city, where he managed the ‘B’ team between 1993 and 1995.

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