Liverpool next manager: Top 10 contenders ranked after big Xabi Alonso twist
Liverpool’s search for a new manager is well underway with new football chiefs Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes working on a plan of action for the off-season.
Jurgen Klopp announced in January that he would be vacating the hot seat at Anfield after nine years at the club.
His side are firmly in the Premier League title race with 10 games left to play this term but, behind the scenes, the club are analysing who could replace the legendary German.
The likes of Xabi Alonso, Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi have all been touted as favourites to take the reins since Klopp’s bombshell announcement.
Football Insider takes a look at the top 10 candidates to succeed Klopp at Liverpool based on the latest information from sources.
10. Pep Lijnders (Liverpool)
One potential ready-made option for Liverpool is Klopp’s current assistant – although Edwards and Hughes are only likely to turn their attention to the Dutchman if they fail to land their top targets.
He joined the Reds in 2014 and knows the club inside out after working with both Klopp and Brendan Rodgers.
Lijnders, 41, briefly left in 2018 to start his managerial career with NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie – but was sacked within months and returned to Anfield just months later.
However, reports have suggested Ajax are keen to make him their new manager this summer – but Liverpool could choose to beat the Dutch giants to the punch if their search goes pear-shaped.
Lijnders has announced he will leave the Merseysiders when Klopp departs but could be persuaded to reverse that stance if offered the top job.
Managerial statistics: Managed (22) | Wins (11) | Draws (4) | Losses (7) – Overall win rate (50%)
9. Marco Silva (Fulham)
Ex-Everton boss Silva is another surprise package in the fight to succeed Klopp at Anfield.
He took the job at Fulham in July 2021, 18 months after being sacked at Goodison Park with the Toffees sitting in the relegation zone.
The 46-year-old has rebuilt his reputation with his work at Fulham, however, transforming them from a Championship side into a solid mid-table Premier League club in just three years.
He has extracted the very best out of players like Antonee Robinson and Joao Palhinha while at Craven Cottage – and both players are being watched closely by Liverpool transfer chiefs.
The Lisbon-born boss signed a new three-year deal at Fulham last October (2023) after rejecting Saudi Pro League interest but could be tempted by one of the top jobs in world football.
Managerial statistics: Managed (456) | Wins (227) | Draws (89) | Losses (140) – Overall win rate (49.8%)
8. Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)
Xavi followed in the footsteps of Klopp in January by announcing he will step down as Barcelona boss at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
And despite the World Cup winner never playing in England, he is being linked with Premier League jobs at Chelsea and Newcastle.
Liverpool could join that pack in the summer window if the likes of Xabi Alonso or Ruben Amorim turn them down.
Xavi won La Liga with Barcelona last season, with his side conceding just 20 goals in 38 league games.
The 44-year-old, who has spoken publicly about his admiration of the English game, has led Barca to the quarter-finals of the Champions League this term.
Managerial statistics: Managed (228) | Wins (149) | Draws (36) | Losses (143) – Overall win rate (65.4%)
7. Zinedine Zidane
Zidane has recently admitted he would like to return to management after leaving Real Madrid at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.
The World Cup winner racked up three Champions League titles in two separate spells with Real but is yet to manage another club.
Would the challenge of performing a similar feat with one of England’s biggest clubs be enough to tempt Zidane, 51, back into management?
He has recently been linked with Bayern Munich and the France national team job as the rumour mill starts up ahead of the summer.
Managerial statistics: Managed (301) | Wins (190) | Draws (63) | Losses (48) – Overall win rate (63.1%)
6. Unai Emery (Aston Villa)
A possible Liverpool approach for Emery is likely to be contingent on Aston Villa’s battle to qualify for the Champions League.
If the Midlands club fail to achieve a top-four (or even top-five) finish this season, they could be vulnerable to losing the 52-year-old.
Emery’s only other spell in English football came at Arsenal and ended after less than 18 months – and the Spaniard could be keen to leave his mark in the Premier League if Liverpool come calling.
The four-time Europa League winner could be tempted by the chance to lead the Reds into the post-Klopp era and prove he can also get results at Europe’s top table.
Managerial statistics: Managed (900) | Wins (482) | Draws (192) | Losses (226) – Overall win rate (53.6%)
5. Thomas Tuchel (Bayern Munich)
Tuchel is currently in the hot seat at Bayern but the two parties have already announced their decision to mutually end their working relationship this summer.
He is vastly experienced at the top level of management having also taken charge at Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea – and winning the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.
His experience in the Premier League and availability will make him a standout option for Liverpool chiefs this summer.
The 50-year-old’s Bayern exit is set to kick-start the managerial merry-go-round this summer and could affect Liverpool’s chances of landing their top targets.
Managerial statistics: Managed (596) | Wins (351) | Draws (104) | Losses (141) – Overall win rate (58.9%)
4. Julian Nagelsmann (Germany)
Nagelsmann, who was a top contender for the Tottenham and Chelsea jobs last summer, is out of contract with the German national team after the European Championships on home soil.
He is extremely highly regarded within football circles despite being just 36 years of age and won his first league title with Bayern Munich in the 2021-22 campaign.
The ex-RB Leipzig boss is yet to manage outside of Germany in his career but will be considered as a serious option by Liverpool chiefs.
Nagelsmann will be interviewed by the Reds as they search for an ideal Klopp replacement this summer.
Managerial statistics: Managed (394) | Wins (224) | Draws (90) | Losses (80) – Overall win rate (56.9%)
3. Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton)
De Zerbi is another manager who has the significant advantage of Premier League experience in the fight to succeed Klopp at Anfield.
He transformed Brighton last season and led them to a sixth-place finish, earning a first-ever European qualification for the Seagulls.
The Italian’s possession-based system has earned him plaudits across Europe and has seen him linked with some elite jobs.
Football Insider revealed last month (23 February) that Brighton are expecting a “huge” battle to keep De Zerbi at the club this summer amid interest from the likes of Liverpool and Man United.
Managerial statistics: Managed (383) | Wins (160) | Draws (91) | Losses (132) – Overall win rate (41.8%)
2. Ruben Amorim (Sporting CP)
Despite being just 39, Amorim has emerged as a serious contender to take over the reins at Anfield this summer.
He led Sporting to their first league title in almost two decades back in the 2020-21 campaign and could repeat the feat this term if they can keep Benfica at arm’s length.
His lack of experience as a manager or player in England could count against him but he is highly regarded in footballing circles and was a contender for the Chelsea and Tottenham jobs last summer.
Liverpool are expected to interview the Lisbon-born boss as they narrow down their shortlist ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Managerial statistics: Managed (219) | Wins (154) | Draws (31) | Losses (34) – Overall win rate (70.3%)
1. Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen)
Alonso was the instant favourite to succeed Klopp after his announcement in January, and the Spaniard remains at the top of the list for Liverpool chiefs.
Reports have linked Barcelona and Bayern Munich to the 42-year-old but in a new twist sources have told Football Insider today that the Reds remain hopeful of agreeing a deal to bring him back to Anfield and continue to working on trying to secure an agreement behind the scenes.
He only started his senior management career at the club in October 2022 but is already considered one of the world’s most exciting young managers.
The ex-midfielder is unbeaten with Leverkusen this term and looks set to end Bayern Munich’s run of 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles.
Alonso and Liverpool could set up a showpiece end to the 2023-24 campaign if both reach the final of the Europa League on 22 May.
Managerial statistics: Managed (173) | Wins (90) | Draws (38) | Losses (45) – Overall win rate (52%)
In other news, Liverpool chief Michael Edwards sets sights on game-changing Ligue 1 deal.
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