Kuyt, who netted 71 times for the Reds, feels that his ex-colleague Alonso had his reasons for rejecting the position at a club where he remains a beloved figure , and commented on the audacity of such a decision. Speaking to Ladbrokes 1-2-Free, Kuyt said: "I didn't speak with Xabi [Alonso] about the Liverpool job earlier this year, so I don't know exactly what his thoughts on it were.
"But when a club like Liverpool is coming for you, as a manager, and you have history there as a former player... you have to be a real man to turn a club like Liverpool down. But I think he did it with good reason.
"He is in the middle of making an unbelievable career, and what he achieved last season with Bayern Leverkusen was amazing. And I think he had a feeling that he was not finished with that job yet.
"I think he wants to become an even better manager, get some more experience and, I don't know, maybe it's a job he'll look at again at a later date. I don't think for a second that it's a case of him not being interested in Liverpool."
Kuyt has weighed in on the daunting task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, stating: "But, to manage that team after Jurgen Klopp, you know, I think you need a lot of experience. Xabi is still a young manager and, despite him having won a lot already, so early on in his managerial career, I think he chose wisely to stay with Leverkusen.
"I don't think many people would have done that. Maybe, for some people, it's a strange decision... it is - at least - a very brave decision. If you have the opportunity to manage a club like Liverpool, you know, for some people, job offers like that only come around once... I'm wondering if he'll have a second chance at it. He's one of the most promising managers in the world right now, though, that's for sure."
Alonso, the former midfield maestro, etched his name into the annals of Bayer Leverkusen by securing both the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal, leading them to a historic league and cup double. Not stopping there, Alonso's Leverkusen also reached the Europa League final and set a new European benchmark with an astonishing 51-match unbeaten streak, including an entire Bundesliga season without defeat.
Liverpool.com says: Time will tell whether Alonso made the right call. It's going to be almost impossible for him to top his achievements of last season, and the Champions League is going to add a new layer of difficulty for him next season, but there is the opportunity to pick up more domestic silverware.
Taking on a new challenge at Liverpool would have made a lot of sense, but then he is still in the infancy of his managerial career. You can't help but wonder whether he has his eyes set on Real Madrid when Carlo Ancelotti's reign comes to an end.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Mirror by clicking here .
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