10 managers who could replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool ranked
Liverpool are stepping up the search for a new manager after Jurgen Klopp’s shock announcement that he is leaving the club at the end of the season.
Klopp announced in January that he will step down from his role at Anfield after nine seasons in charge of the Merseyside giants.
During his tenure, he has led Liverpool to win one Premier League title, the Champions League, one FA Cup, two League Cup titles, the Fifa Club World Cup and the Uefa Super Cup.
Liverpool’s data analysts are now busy compiling a shortlist of candidates for club owners FSG to assess and interview as they look to find a suitable replacement for Klopp in the summer.
Sources have told Football Insider that no decision has been made on the identity of the new manager but a number of preferred candidates are emerging, and they are expected to make the shortlist.
Here are 10 managerial candidates that Liverpool could consider:
10. Pep Lijnders (Liverpool)
If Liverpool want a smooth transition from Klopp’s era to the next, his current assistant manager could be an ideal option.
Lijnders has been Klopp’s right-hand man at Anfield since 2014 apart from a small managerial stint of his own at Dutch side NEC in 2018.
He is familiar with Liverpool’s squad, setup and staff but his lack of managerial experience makes his appointment a serious risk.
Managerial statistics: Managed (22) | Wins (11) | Draws (4) | Losses (7) – Overall win rate (50%)
9. Ange Postecoglou (Tottenham)
Postecoglou has hit the ground running since joining Spurs from Celtic in the summer.
The 58-year-old has become an immediate fan favourite in North London with his high-energy style of play and his summer transfer business in the wake of Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich has been widely praised.
However, Postecoglou signed a four-year contract at Tottenham and trying to lure him to Anfield in the summer could come with a hefty compensation fee.
Managerial statistics: Managed (708) | Wins (380) | Draws (142) | Losses (186) – Overall win rate (53.7%)
8. Steven Gerrard (Al-Ettifaq)
It seems inevitable that the legendary Liverpool icon will make his return to Anfield as a manager one day.
Gerrard spent 17 years at the club as a player and he has wasted no time in gaining managerial experience after his retirement with jobs at Rangers, Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq.
The 42-year-old has had mixed success as a manager – his Rangers side went unbeaten to win their first league title in 10 years but his time at Villa ended with a sacking after 11 months.
His name will always be in the hat when Liverpool assess their managerial options, but jumping from the Saudi Pro League to replacing Klopp at Anfield is a huge ask.
Managerial statistics: Managed (256) | Wins (146) | Draws (57) | Losses (53) – Overall win rate (57%)
7. Unai Emery (Aston Villa)
Emery is catching the attention of Europe’s elite once again with his success at Aston Villa.
He replaced Gerrard at Villa Park in 2022 and has transformed the club into a side competing for Champions League qualification.
Emery has experience working with the biggest clubs in Europe with previous stints at Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal and his trophy cabinet speaks for itself with four Europa League titles.
Managerial statistics: Managed (991) | Wins (532) | Draws (214) | Losses (245) – Overall win rate (53.7%)
6. Thomas Tuchel (Bayern Munich)
Tuchel has made himself available in the summer after announcing that he will step down as Bayern Munich manager in the summer.
The German coach has won three league titles and a Champions League and has Premier League experience under his belt with Chelsea.
Managerial statistics: Managed (597) | Wins (343) | Draws (119) | Losses (135) – Overall win rate (57.5%)
5. Zinedine Zidane
If FSG want to make a statement with their next appointment, then luring Zidane out of retirement to take the Anfield hot seat would do just that.
The Real Madrid and France legend enjoyed a short but sweet spell as manager, winning three consecutive Champions League titles between 2016 and 2018.
He returned to Madrid again in 2019 and won a La Liga title but he has now been inactive for three years after resigning in 2021.
Managerial statistics: Managed (320) | Wins (200) | Draws (70) | Losses (50) – Overall win rate (62.5%)
4. Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton)
De Zerbi was being touted as the future Liverpool or Manchester City boss after only a few months in charge of Brighton.
The Italian coach succeeded Graham Potter at the Amex Stadium and led the Seagulls to a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League during his first season.
There have been plenty of comparisons drawn between De Zerbi and Klopp due to his high-octane style and animated touchline behaviour.
Managerial statistics: Managed (380) | Wins (157) | Draws (96) | Losses (127) – Overall win rate (41.3%)
3. Julian Nagelsmann (Germany)
Despite a somewhat underwhelming stint at Bayern Munich, Nagelsmann remains one of the most sought-after managers in world football.
The 36-year-old first caught attention with his RB Leipzig side and was linked with moves to Manchester United and Tottenham before joining Bayern in 2021.
He won three trophies in Germany, including the 2022 Bundesliga title, but was sacked in March 2023 despite having a win rate of 71.4 percent.
Nagelsmann became the manager of Germany’s national team in September 2023 but his contract is set to expire after the summer European Championships.
Managerial statistics: Managed (319) | Wins (170) | Draws (80) | Losses (69) – Overall win rate (53.3%)
2. Ruben Amorim (Sporting Lisbon)
There is no surprise that Amorim appears to be right at the top of Liverpool’s shortlist with the 39-year-old enjoying plenty of success in Portugal.
After a brief stint at Braga, Amorim was hired by Sporting in 2020 and he led the club to their first league title in 19 years during his first full season in charge.
His Sporting side remain in the 2023-24 title race and are the top scorers in Portugal with 63 goals in 22 matches.
It is expected, sources say, that Amorim, who is 39, will get an interview with Liverpool at the very least.
Managerial statistics: Managed (228) | Wins (161) | Draws (33) | Losses (34) – Overall win rate (70.6%)
1. Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen)
The clear favourite to replace Klopp next season, and the undisputed peoples’ choice.
Alonso’s Leverkusen side remain unbeaten in the Bundesliga in 2023-24 and look set to end Bayern Munich’s dominance.
Not only is the 42-year-old one of the biggest names in Europe this season, but he spent five years of his playing career at Anfield and is adored by the fanbase.
The only stumbling block for Liverpool is that they may have a battle on their hands to fight off another of his former clubs – Bayern Munich – in the summer.
Managerial statistics: Managed (168) | Wins (86) | Draws (37) | Losses (45) – Overall win rate (51.2%)
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