Akpom would like Ajax to appoint legendary Liverpool playmaker as coach amid talks with ex-Chelsea boss 

Chuba Akpom has revealed that he would like to see legendary Liverpool playmaker Xabi Alonso manage Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam.

Former Chelsea boss Graham Potter is seemingly in pole position to be the new coach of Ajax next season having held talks with the four-time European champions but the stumbling block to a deal could be his salary demands. 

During his tenure as Chelsea's coach, the 48-year-old earned approximately twelve million pounds annually.

Alonso, who clinched the Champions League title with the Reds during his playing days, is currently one of the most coveted coaches in the world. 

His success at Bayer Leverkusen, leading them to secure their first Bundesliga title with five games remaining, has solidified his reputation.

Previously, there were speculations linking him to managerial positions at Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid. 

However, last month, he put an end to the speculation about his future by declaring that he will be staying with the newly crowned Bundesliga champions at least for one more season. 

After a 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund in the last round of matches in the German top-flight, Bayer Leverkusen extended their unbeaten record in the 2023-2024 campaign to 45 games. 

Last October, former player John van t Schip was appointed as coach of Ajax until the end of the season, before stepping into a function in technical management in July 2024.

Akpom wants Ajax to appoint a young coach who understands the playing philosophy of the club and admitted that Alonso is beyond their reach. 

"I would like to see a young coach with fresh ideas. A coach who wants the ball, who understands the values ​​of Ajax and has a clear structure and philosophy," Akpom told Ajax Life. 

When pressed to reveal his preferred coach, the Super Eagles hopeful answered: “Xabi Alonso would be perfect, but he doesn't seem feasible to me,"

Alonso, who worked with Super Eagles forwards Nathan Tella and Victor Boniface this season, managed the youth teams of Real Madrid and Real Sociedad before taking over the managerial reins at Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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