In a shocking announcement that is still reverberating around the football world, Jurgen Klopp revealed he would, in fact, be leaving his beloved club…, leaving Liverpool in search of a new manager.
Liverpool has a history of success – not only having won the Premier League under Klopp for the first time in thirty years, but they have also won the FA Cup, EFL, Cup, FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA World Club Cup and the Champions League. They are also right up there in the mix for silverware this season – and are always worth a bet on the Champions League!
But who can take over when he leaves? They will surely be big shoes to fill… so who’s up for the job?
Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso is certainly a strong candidate for the managerial role. Not only is he already beloved by Liverpool fans, but he has also proven his quality as a manager. A key player in Liverpool’s resurgence in the mid-2000s, he brought class and power to their midfield, scoring some of their most memorable goals – including two from the halfway line, and he played a major role in Rafael Benitez’s 2005 Champions League-winning side. He has also worked under managers such as Benitez, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Pep Guardiola. He honed his managerial skills with the reserve side of his childhood club, Real Sociedad, before taking the lead at Bayer Leverkusen last year.
And his quality shows. Currently sitting four points ahead of Bayern Munich and remaining unbeaten after 18 matches, an appointment as Liverpool’s manager is definitely a possibility. However, there could be potential competition from Real Madrid… who may also be eyeing Alonso for a managerial role.
Roberto De Zerbi
De Zerbia has made a solid impact at Brighton, showing off an attacking style of football. Indeed, he led the Seagulls to qualify for the Europa League last season, and they are now genuine contenders for a Champions League spot. Appointing De Zerbi might not be a bad move for Liverpool.
Steven Gerrard
No list of potential Klopp replacements would be complete without mentioning Steven Gerrard. The hugely popular former captain of Liverpool was considered the most likely candidate thanks to his successful stints with Rangers and Aston Villa. However, his managerial career has faced a few challenges since then, having encountered a few difficulties at Al-Ettifaq. As such, a return to Liverpool at this moment seems unlikely, especially considering he has recently committed to a new contract that will keep him in Saudi Arabia until at least 2027.
Julian Nagelsmann
Nagelsmann may also be considering a return to club management soon. The 36-year-old took charge of the Germany national team shortly after he was abruptly and pretty harshly sacked by Bayern Munich to make room for Thomas Tuchel.
With his contract with Germany set to expire in July, after Euro 2024, this gives him a great opportunity to move to the Premier League if they do consider him to be a potential successor to Klopp.
Jose Mourinho
Could they? Would they? Mourinho is now back in the managerial market after being let go by Roma… and the Liverpool job would definitely be an attractive prospect for the former Manchester United and Chelsea boss.
However, Mourinho might not be a popular choice among the majority of the club’s fanbase, and there are now doubts as to whether he actually has what it takes to deliver success at the very highest level – despite the incredible achievements he enjoyed in the earlier years of his managerial career.
Other Potential Contenders
Other contenders for the position may include Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone, who managed to guide his team to two league titles in 2014 and 2021… along with wins in the Copa del Rey and Europa League twice.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou and PSG manager Luis Enrique are a couple of outsiders for the role, while Antonio Conte, who is currently clubless after a tough time at Spurs, might also be a consideration. However, Klopp’s trusted assistant, Pep Lijnders, will definitely not be a name thrown into the hat – as he will also be leaving the club at the end of the 2024-24 season.
So, who will it be? Watch this space…
