Liverpool’s difficult task of searching for Jurgen Klopp’s successor continues ahead of Sunday’s huge clash away at Arsenal.
The German has enjoyed a trophy-laden tenure since arriving at Anfield in October 2015, winning the Champions League in 2019, as well as ending the club’s long wait for a Premier League title in 2020.
Klopp’s decision to step down has surprised many, given that the Reds’ are going strong in four competitions this season. Liverpool face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final on February 25 and also remain in contention for the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League. Below are the latest news and rumours on the 56-year-old’s potential successor at Anfield…
Bayer Leverkusen are preparing for the possibility of Xabi Alonso leaving for Liverpool. That is according to Christian Falk, speaking to CaughtOffside.
He adds that in Germany, there is a hope that he will be the next national team manager but also says England could be an option. “The announced resignation of Jürgen Klopp also has consequences in Germany,” he said.
“Leverkusen are preparing for the possibility of losing coach Xabi Alonso to the Reds. Hansi Flick was actually considered a potential successor. But the former national coach is at the top of FC Barcelona’s list as Xavi’s successor.
“In Germany, however, people hope that Jürgen Klopp will become the national coach at some point. But the job as England national coach should also appeal to him. Nobody believes that he will never be a coach again.
“His assistant Peter Krawietz will wait until his boss takes a new job. Pep Lijnders, on the other hand, is interested in finding his own role as a manager.”
Portuguese outlet Record has reported that Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim has not been contacted by Liverpool – and the scenario has ‘never arisen’
It has been claimed that Amorim asks the chiefs in Lisbon to not discuss managerial approaches during the season to ensure that his focus is on matters relating to the Portuguese side. There is a time where he discusses his future, which is in the summer, but for the moment he is going nowhere – it has been claimed – as he is contracted until 2026.
But there is a clause, €30million (£25.5m) for Portuguese clubs and €20million (£17m) for those abroad.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that whoever is appointed as Liverpool’s new sporting director will have a huge say on Klopp’s successor. He also says that Alonso and Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi are on the Reds’ shortlist.
“I still insist on two names confirmed who are Xabi Alonso and Roberto De Zerbi, who for sure are on the list,” he told GIVEMESPORT. “But I’m sure they will take their time and I’m still sure that Liverpool want to appoint a sporting director before deciding who is going to be the new manager.
“So it’s going to be a new project with many things to decide, not just the manager and this is why I think they’re going to take some time.”
