Liverpool are slowly starting to hone in on the clutch of candidates who could replace Jurgen Klopp this summer.
With Klopp just over a month away from his Anfield exit, now is the time for Liverpool to really ramp up the search for his successor.
According to reports this week, they are now beginning to do that. With five managers currently said to be in the running, the Reds are seemingly hoping to trim that list down over the coming weeks. From there, they’ll then have their prime candidates.
Exactly who those names will be isn’t yet completely clear. However, with coaches such as Ruben Amorim regularly touted as being towards the top of the list, there’s unlikely to be much of a shock.
Nevertheless, there may be some upsets as Liverpool’s long list is whittled down. And judging by Theo Walcott’s comments today, he won’t be happy to hear one manager who has reportedly been struck off.
Theo Walcott raves about Liverpool candidate
It speaks to the slight lack of top quality managers out there that there is not an immediate front-runner to fill Klopp’s shoes.
Ordinarily, you might be choosing from a pool of several top-class, proven coaches who could step in without too much trouble. That isn’t really the case here.
What there is instead though, is a host of potentially world class managers who are looking to move up a level. One of these is Roberto De Zerbi, who, after being heavily linked with Liverpool, is now said to be out of the running.
This will seemingly disappoint Walcott, who told the BBC’s Planet Premier League podcast that De Zerbi is an ‘exceptional’ coach.
“I think De Zerbi is exceptional. I really do,” raved the 35-year-old. “He has that steel about him as well, that you wouldn’t want to get on his wrong side. But if he does move on, the grass isn’t always greener. Like with Graham Potter at Chelsea. When you go to the bigger club the pressure is different. The time, you don’t always get as much.
“But I feel he is the sort of man who if he did move to a top four or top six team, he would demand that time because that’s the sort of person he is. I think he’s exceptional and what he’s done with Brighton, the way they keep the ball and they way they play is just incredible. They’re great to watch.”
Liverpool set to drop Roberto De Zerbi interest
It shouldn’t be that much of a surprise that Liverpool look set to ignore De Zerbi in their new manager search. The Brighton manager hasn’t quite got his team firing this season.
Nevertheless, it’s hard to argue that the Italian isn’t a great coach in waiting. Brighton are indeed very good to watch and it seems only a matter of time before De Zerbi finds himself at a top club. Bayern Munich are said to be interested and that would suit him.
But for Liverpool, we just feel that there are perhaps other candidates edging ahead of him. Maybe they’ll come to regret it, but he doesn’t seem to be their choice.
Whatever happens though and wherever he goes, expect De Zerbi to keep impressing with his irresistible attacking play.
