Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits he's a fan of Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso.
Xabi is regarded as favourite to succeed Klopp when the German steps down in the summer.
"Xabi is doing an incredible job," said Klopp. "If there would not be the rumours around, that's completely independent. If you would have asked me eight weeks ago about Xabi Alonso, I would have gone 'oh my God'.
"Always what I said, the dinosaurs if you want, Ancelotti, Mourinho, Guardiola, maybe me, we will not do it – okay, maybe Mourinho - but all the rest will not do it for the next 20 years. The next generation is already there and I would say Xabi is standout in that department.
"Former world-class player, obviously coaching family as well which helps a little bit, he was like a coach already when he was playing. The football he is playing, the teams he sets up, the transfers he did, it was absolutely exceptional.
"I played a long time in my life in the Bundesliga, and that is super impressive. Not only the points tally but the way they play."
Klopp added, "For the time it's taken, he's put his proper stamp on it," he said. "Nobody knows if that is always the way he wants to play or if it's the way this team specifically plays, he is not long enough in the business to tell, but obviously the coaching part is exceptional. That is clear."
