Liverpool are aware of Jurgen Klopp’s upcoming departure from Anfield for a while now. They have identified several potential successors including Xabi Alonso, Ruben Amorim, and Julian Nagelsmann.
A number of candidates are being considered by Liverpool to fill Jurgen Klopp’s shoes at Anfield.
Klopp, the German manager, is poised to depart from Anfield at the conclusion of the season. His decision was confirmed with a surprising announcement last month. Xabi Alonso quickly emerged as a frontrunner for the position.
A potential deal for the sought-after individual could prove challenging, considering the strong desire of his current club, Bayer Leverkusen, to retain him, coupled with Bayern Munich’s expressed interest. Consequently, reports indicate that Liverpool have begun exploring alternatives.
Among the speculated replacements, current Germany national team coach Julian Nagelsmann and Ruben Amorim from Sporting Portugal emerge as potential candidates to succeed Klopp. Newsnow Liverpool delves into the profiles of these frontrunners to gain insight into their suitability for the position.
Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen)
A familiar face to Liverpool supporters, Alonso is a well-regarded figure at Anfield, having played for the Reds from 2004 to 2009 following his move from Real Sociedad. During his time with Liverpool, he secured both the Champions League and FA Cup titles.
After departing Liverpool, Alonso ventured to Real Madrid and later to Bayern Munich, where he showcased his talents on the field.
Transitioning into coaching, Alonso’s managerial journey began with Real Sociedad’s B team before he was appointed as Bayer Leverkusen’s manager in 2022.
Since taking the helm at Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso has enjoyed notable success, with the team losing only ten out of 70 matches across various competitions. Leverkusen are currently positioned as strong contenders for the Bundesliga title this season.
Alonso’s managerial approach reflects his playing style, characterized by creativity and precise passing. Leverkusen frequently dominate matches, utilizing their width effectively, with their wingbacks proving to be formidable assets.
Manuel Neuer, Alonso’s former teammate and current Bayern Munich star, shared insights into Alonso’s coaching prowess, highlighting his impact on the teams he manages.
“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.”
Alonso seems like an ideal candidate, but finalizing a deal could pose challenges. Although Leverkusen appears willing to let him go, Alonso is bound by a contract with two-and-a-half years remaining. Bayern Munich have expressed interest, aiming to fill the void left by Thomas Tuchel. Rumours suggest they have devised an enticing offer to lure him to the Allianz Arena.
Julian Nagelsmann (Germany)
Former Bayern Munich player turned manager, Julian Nagelsmann, emerges as a potential alternative should Liverpool’s pursuit of Alonso falter.
Nagelsmann’s potential appointment would see Liverpool secure one of the most promising young coaches globally. His managerial journey began at a young age of 28, following an early end to his playing career due to injury.
Starting with Hoffenheim, Nagelsmann swiftly made history as the youngest coach in Bundesliga history. Under his guidance, Hoffenheim transitioned from battling relegation to contending for a Champions League spot.
His success didn’t go unnoticed, as RB Leipzig came calling, where Nagelsmann guided the team to a Champions League semi-final.
Bayern Munich, recognizing his talent, secured Nagelsmann’s services for a staggering €25 million. Bayern president Herbert Hainer expressed his confidence in Nagelsmann upon his appointment. “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.”
Nagelsmann’s tenure as head coach of the Bundesliga champions for the 2021/22 season was abruptly terminated after a mere two years. However, he has since transitioned to coaching the German national team and is under contract until the conclusion of this summer’s Euros.
His coaching philosophy bears similarities to Klopp’s tactics employed at Anfield. Nagelsmann emphasizes a strategy centered around possession dominance, coupled with a gegenpressing style aimed at swiftly regaining possession after losing the ball.
Ruben Amorim (Sporting Lisbon)
Nagelsmann is widely recognized as one of the most promising young coaches in football, and a similar sentiment could be applied to Ruben Amorim. Starting his career with Portuguese team Belenenses, the 39-year-old went on to play for Benfica, Braga, and Qatari club Al-Wakrah, earning 14 caps for the Portuguese national team.
Amorim’s managerial journey began amid controversy when he assumed control of third-tier side Casa Pia in 2018/19, resulting in a six-point deduction due to lacking the proper coaching qualifications. However, he quickly transitioned to Braga, initially overseeing the reserve team before swiftly ascending to the position of first-team manager. His tenure at Braga included a triumph in the Portuguese League Cup and a mere two losses.
His success caught the attention of Sporting Lisbon, who secured his services for €10 million. Amorim continued his winning streak with Sporting, claiming two more League Cups in his initial seasons.
The pinnacle of his achievements came with Sporting’s league title victory in the 2020/21 season, where they suffered just one defeat en route to their first domestic championship in nearly twenty years.
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, expressed admiration for Amorim’s work following a 1-1 draw between City and Sporting in the Champions League, labeling him as “one of the best.”
While Amorim’s potential appointment would undoubtedly spark excitement, it comes with a hefty price tag. Report suggest a £17 million release clause embedded in his contract, which extends until 2026.
In other Liverpool news, 5 “Moneyball” Top Managers Liverpool Should Consider for the Anfield Job