With Jurgen Klopp's shock announcement that he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, here are three coaches we think could replace the German tactician.
Check Out: OPINION: Barca Dodged Rashford Bullet, Greenwood A Better Player
The 56-year-old has shocked the football world with his announcement that, after nine years at the club, he will be stepping down has coach of the Reds. During his time on Merseyside, the Stuttgart native managed to win every club competition he has taken part in, ending the Reds' three-decade-long wait for a Premier League title while also making it to three UEFA Champions League finals.
Klopp is on course to win yet another English league title this season as his charges currently lead the EPL standings. It would be his second title in the division and while Liverpool fans would love nothing more than for their beloved manager to go out with another championship, the club has to decide who will have the enormous task of succeeding someone who has really endeared themselves to the team's supporters.
A name many Liverpool fans are likely to take a liking to is that of Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard spent five years plying his trade for the Merseysiders as a deep-lying playmaker, and won the 2004/05 Champions League with the Reds. It seems he is just as good a manager as he was a midfielder given his start to life as Bayer Leverkusen boss.
The 2023/24 season is his first full season as a professional coach, but he is already looking like ending Bayern Munich's hegemony in the Bundesliga as Die Werkself leads the division by four points with an undefeated record. His emphasis on attacking through the flanks will suit the Liverpool fullbacks and the likes of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz, but the English juggernauts will likely face stiff competition from Real Madrid and Bayern for Alonso's services as they are also rumoured to be interested in the Basque native's signature.
If an attempt at luring Alonso does not work out, the Melwood chiefs could look at bringing in another young and highly sought after manager in Roberto De Zerbi. Ex-Ghana star Kevin-Prince Boateng recently spoke on Rio Ferdinand's Five Podcast about Klopp in glowing terms, but for all the brilliance that the Gegenpress pioneer possesses, the former attacking midfielder said that the Italian tactician is the best manager he has ever worked under.
Like his German counterpart, De Zerbi's teams attacks through the wings and presses high when out of possession. One of the major differences between him and Klopp, though, is that the Brighton Hove Albion boss loves to bait the opposition into pressing high, using his goalkeeper as a faux third centre-back when playing out from the back. However, his high intensity style would likely make him a fan favourite among the Anfield faithful.
Many envisage Klopp's next job to be that of the Germany national team coach after the 2024 UEFA European Championship, and if that appointment does come to fruition, he could well switch roles with Die Mannschaft's existing manager Julian Nagelsmann. The former RB Leipzig boss is also a descendant of the Gegenpress school and with his time as Germany boss set to end after the Euros, Liverpool could be his next adventure.
Check Out: Top Five AFCON Goalscorers After Group Stage
The 36-year-old has previously gone close to being manager of Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, so it is evident that the Premier League is in his plans, and Klopp's looming departure could open that pathway for him.
Disclaimer: SNL24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on SNL24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of SNL24.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH VIDEO:
