All you need to know about Liverpool's three candidates to replace Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool have a host of potential candidates shortlisted as Jurgen Klopp's Anfield replacement.
The German is set to leave Anfield at the end of the season and confirmed his decision with a bombshell announcement last month. Xabi Alonso immediately emerged as a potential successor.
A deal for him might be easier said than done given current employers Bayer Leverkusen are very keen to keep him, while Bayern Munich are interested. According to reports, that has seen Liverpool look to some alternatives.
It is suggested that current Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann and Ruben Amorim of Sporting Portugal could potentially take the reins from Klopp. Find out all you need to know about the current frontrunners:
Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen)
A man that likely needs little introduction to Liverpool fans, Alonso is already a popular figure at Anfield. The former Spanish midfielder represented the Reds between 2004 and 2009 after joining from Real Sociedad.
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He lifted the Champions League and FA Cup at Anfield. Alonso quit Liverpool for Spanish giants Real Madrid and also played for German powerhouses Bayern Munich.
His managerial career has been short - but very sweet so far. After a stint with Real Sociedad’s B team, he was handed an opportunity with Bayer Leverkusen in 2022.
His work at the BayArena has been nothing short of inspired having only lost ten out of 70 games in all competitions, while Leverkusen are overwhelming favourites to win the Bundesliga this term.
Xabi Alonso is being eyed by both Liverpool and Bayern Munich (Getty Images)Who do you think should be Liverpool's next manager? Share your thoughts in the comments below
A very creative midfielder with a metronomic ability to pass the ball, Alonso has carried those assets into his managerial style. Leverkusen regularly dominate their opponents and use their width to their advantage - their wingbacks in particular becoming particularly effective weapons.
His former teammate and current Bayern Munich star Manuel Neuer revealed: “It’s like how Xabi played when he was a player. He gained an insight into a good passing game, playing with a lot of possession, and he passed this on to his team. He’s a player who really enjoyed having the ball and his team have this character, where they want to have the ball and not chase it.”
While Alonso looks a great fit, a deal might be tricky. Leverkusen would reportedly not stand in his way but the Spaniard still has two-and-a-half years left on his contract. Bayern Munich are also keen on a move as they attempt to find a replacement for Thomas Tuchel. Reports have claimed they have a lucrative plan in place to tempt him to the Allianz Arena.
Julian Nagelsmann (Germany)
From a former Bayern Munich player to a former Bayern Munich manager, now. Should Liverpool fail in their attempts to tempt Alonso to Anfield, Nagelsmann has been identified as a potential alternative.
Should Liverpool move for him instead, the Reds would be securing one of the most promising young coaches in the world. After seeing a playing career cruelly cut short at just the age of 20 by injury, the German decided to move into management. His first opportunity came with Hoffenheim at just the age of 28. As a result, he became the youngest coach in Bundesliga history.
Nagelsmann transformed the side from one battling against relegation to fighting for a Champions League place. That soon caught the attention of RB Leipzig and he led the German side to a Champions League semi-final place.
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Julian Nagelsmann celebrates winning the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich (Getty Images)After just two seasons, he was on the move again as Bayern Munich paid a staggering €25 million to take him to the Allianz Arena. Speaking after appointing him, Bayern president Herbert Hainer said: “Julian Nagelsmann represents a new generation of coaches.
“Despite his young age, he already has an impressive CV. We are convinced that with Julian Nagelsmann, we can continue the magnificent successes of recent years.”
Despite winning the 2021/22 Bundesliga title, Nagelsmann was sacked after just two years at the helm. He is now with the German national side and has a contract until the end of this summer’s Euros.
His style is somewhat reminiscent of that already deployed by Klopp at Anfield. Nagelsmann tasks his side with dominating possession that also uses a gegenpressing approach in attempting to win the ball back.
Ruben Amorim (Sporting Lisbon)
While Nagelsmann has a reputation as one of the most promising young coaches in the game, the same could certainly be true of Ruben Amorim. The 39-year-old kicked off his playing career with Portuguese side Belenenses and went on to play for Benfica, Braga and Qatari side Al-Wakrah. He is also a 14-time Portuguese international.
Amorim actually had a controversial start to his managerial career. He took over third tier side Casa Pia in 2018/19 but caused the side to be deducted six points having not had the correct coaching qualifications.
He then moved to Braga to take over the club’s reserve side but was appointed as first-team boss just three months later. During his time with Braga, he won the Portuguese League Cup and lost just two games.
Ruben Amorim has a glittering reputation in Portugal (Getty Images)That led to giants Sporting Lisbon making a €10 million move for Amorim and he has continued his upward trajectory since. He added two further League Cups during his first two campaigns with Sporting.
Amorim also masterminded a stunning league title success. Sporting lost just one game on their way to the 2020/21 title - their first domestic league glory in nearly two decades.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been hugely impressed by Amorim’s work in Lisbon. After a 1-1 draw between City and the Portuguese side in the Champions League, the Spaniard suggested that Amorim is “one of the best” around.
While Amorim would be an exciting appointment, a move for him would not be cheap. It is suggested that he has a £17m release clause written into his deal - a contract that runs until 2026.
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