10 months ago
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MANCHESTER UNITED fans are convinced Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool exit is a blessing in disguise.
The Reds manager will step down from his role at the end of the season after eight-and-a-half years.
Getty
ReutersDuring that time, he has won seven major trophies, including the Champions League and Premier League.
Alongside Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, Liverpool have become a dominant force in the Premier League.
The two clubs are the only sides to win the title since 2017, with Klopp ending Liverpool’s 30-year wait in 2020.
Meanwhile, United have failed to add to their record 20 titles since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
With Klopp leaving and Guardiola’s contract up at the end of next season, fans believe their time has now come.
Reacting to the Liverpool boss’ exit on X, formerly Twitter, one supporter wrote: “Klopp is leaving. Pep will leave too. New ownership in #MUFC. We are back on top!”
Another added: “We are so back. Klopp gone. Ratcliffe sacking everyone in sight. Pep and the 115 charges will be gone soon. All will be well again.”
A third fan commented: “Klopp leaving Liverpool. Pep in the last year of his contract. ‘Eras come to an end’ – Erik ten Hag.”
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Xabi Alonso is the perfect man for the job
By Dan King
XABI ALONSO ticks almost every box to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, and if Bayer Leverkusen don’t let their lead at the top of the Bundesliga slip the case for him to do so will be irresistible.
The former Kop idol knows the club inside out after five seasons at Anfield and has made no secret of his enduring affection.
Alonso has already forged a reputation as an innovative coach playing an attractive, pressing style, usually in a fluid 3-4-2-1 formation.
He has taken Leverkusen from second bottom of the Bundesliga to seven-points clear at the top, putting them on course to be crowned German champions for the first time in their 120-year history.
It’s worth remembering that both Rafa Benitez and Klopp arrived at Anfield with proof they could dethrone clubs who dominated their leagues.
For Alonso to do the same, in only his second season as a top-flight manager, would mark him out as something special.
It is that lack of long-term experience that would still make appointing him to replace Klopp a gamble.
But otherwise, he looks like the perfect candidate as Liverpool are forced to plan a future without the man who made them champions of England, Europe and the world.
One more also admitted: “With Klopp leaving and Pep probably round the corner as well, this is the perfect time for Manchester United to build a team to win titles again.
“If Ineos can’t get it right in a time like this nobody ever will.”
Erik ten Hag’s comments from his Old Trafford unveiling in 2022 have also resurfaced.
The United boss insisted he was ready to end City and Liverpool’s periods of dominance after succeeding interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
He explained at the time: “In this moment, I admire them both, Manchester City and Liverpool.
“They both play really fantastic football, both Liverpool and Man City. But you will always see an era can come to an end and I am looking forward to battling with them. I’m really looking forward to doing this job at this club with massive history.
“And we want to restore it to where it belongs.”
Ten Hag ended United’s six-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup last season and could still add the FA Cup this term.
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