Ibrahima Konate has expressed the Liverpool dressing room’s perspective on the arrival of a new manager to succeed Jurgen Klopp for the 2024/25 season.
In January, Klopp announced his departure from the club after eight and a half years at Anfield. Since then, names like Julian Nagelsmann, Ruben Amorim, and Xabi Alonso have been associated with the position, with Alonso emerging as the leading candidate.
Alonso, a former Liverpool player from 2004 to 2009, commenced his managerial career at Bayer Leverkusen in late 2022. Upon his arrival, Leverkusen was languishing near the bottom of the Bundesliga table, but Alonso swiftly transformed them into contenders for the title within just 18 months. Regrettably for Liverpool, his remarkable achievements have garnered attention from Bayern Munich and potentially Real Madrid.
Nevertheless, Leverkusen’s CEO, Fernando Carro, remains confident that Alonso will stay put, with no guarantee of his departure in the summer. . “He has a contract until 2026 and we are planning the next season with him at full speed,” he told Marca. “Nothing makes us think that he will not continue with us.”
While Leverkusen’s stance is apparent, Konate offered insight into how the Liverpool squad is bracing for a substantial managerial transition. In an interview with France TV Info, he said: “Liverpool is Liverpool. Klopp was the one who came looking for me and got me to the level I’m at today.
“It will always be a legendary, exceptional club. Everyone is apprehensive, and every player is aware of that. Who will the new manager be? Will things go well, both collectively and individually?”
In anticipation of a major overhaul in the backroom staff this summer, Liverpool has already taken steps to prepare for life after Klopp. Former sporting director Michael Edwards, who departed Liverpool 22 months ago after a decade-long tenure, has been reinstated to oversee football operations.
Additionally, it was revealed earlier this week that Richard Hughes will assume the role of sporting director for the 2024/25 season. Hughes will be leaving his current position at Bournemouth this summer to join Liverpool.