Data Analysis Reveals Liverpool’s Optimal Klopp Successor, Surprising Outcome Excludes Alonso
Liverpool Football Club is currently facing the daunting task of finding a suitable replacement for their beloved manager, Jurgen Klopp. While many fans and pundits have touted former Liverpool player Xabi Alonso as the frontrunner for the job, data analysis suggests a different outcome. According to a recent assessment conducted by Carteret Analytics, there is another candidate who appears to be a better fit for the position.
The discussion surrounding Klopp’s successor has been a difficult one for Liverpool fans to have. However, since the German manager informed the club’s hierarchy of his decision in November, it has become a reality that they must face. Among the names that emerged as potential replacements, Xabi Alonso quickly became the people’s choice. His successful stint as the manager of Bayer Leverkusen, where his team achieved the German record for the longest unbeaten run, further solidified his candidacy.
Despite Alonso ticking many boxes for the role, Carteret Analytics’ analysis, as reported by BBC Sport, ranks him fifth among possible Klopp successors based on seven different metrics. Carteret’s assessment provides an objective evaluation of managers’ strengths and weaknesses, relying on results from the past six seasons, with more weight given to recent performances.
One of the factors working against Alonso is his lack of experience in a top managerial position. This aspect is reflected in the metrics, which place Sporting manager Ruben Amorim as an ideal candidate. Amorim’s achievements as a head coach, intelligence in preparation and analysis, tactical command, attacking style of football, possession, and shot creation ratio are all considered in creating an overall rating. His rating of 144.7 puts him in second place, just behind Klopp’s rating of 151. The analysis also acknowledges that Amorim operates in a less competitive league, making him a “compelling option.”
The next candidate on the list is Julian Nagelsmann, the current Germany boss, with a rating of 128. Nagelsmann surpasses both Klopp and Amorim in terms of strategic intelligence. Following Nagelsmann are Thomas Tuchel from Bayern Munich (119.5) and Ange Postecoglou from Tottenham (116.5), both ranking higher than Alonso (106.9). Roberto de Zerbi from Brighton completes the list with a rating of 71.3.
The analysis of Alonso’s performance highlights that his team does not attack or play with the same pace as Klopp’s Liverpool. Additionally, his lack of experience contributes to his lower ranking in this particular assessment. However, it is important to note that these findings are just one aspect to consider in Liverpool’s search for their next manager.
One name that has been consistently mentioned throughout the search for Klopp’s successor is Ruben Amorim. The 39-year-old Portuguese manager has experienced success with Sporting, leading them to their first league title in 19 years during the 2020/21 season. Given his high ranking in the metrics, he is certainly a candidate to keep an eye on.
It should come as no surprise that Liverpool will adopt a data-driven approach in their search for the next manager. This method aligns with the club’s operating philosophy, which was evident when they appointed Klopp back in 2015. Liverpool’s CEO, Billy Hogan, confirmed this approach in January, stating, “The way we operate as a football club is to ensure that we’ve looked at all the information, all the data, we’ve done our proper due diligence and then we’ll make a decision.” Spearheading the data department is Liverpool’s Director of Research, Will Spearman, who will play a crucial role in the club’s search and selection process.
While Xabi Alonso may be a fan favorite and a well-respected figure in the world of football, the data analysis suggests that there are other candidates who may be better suited to take on the challenging task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp. As Liverpool continues their pursuit of finding the optimal Klopp successor, the inclusion of data-driven insights will undoubtedly play a significant role in their decision-making process.