The latest update in the search for the next Liverpool manager has seen Ruben Amorim become the odds-on favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp.
The Portuguese tactician has reportedly “reached a verbal agreement in principle” to take on the job in the summer, according to Sky Germany.
Amorim is currently in charge at Sporting and on course to win his second league title in four season, but is widely expected to leave the club at the end of the current campaign.
Meanwhile, Julian Nagelsmann has commented on his future after being linked with both Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
The German says there has been no talks with his former club while revealing “there are a couple of clubs” he could join ahead of next season, leaving the door open to taking over at Liverpool.
Klopp is set to vacate the job after announcing his intention to leave the club back in January.
Who’s in contention to be next Liverpool manager?
Three candidates have emerged as the favourites to succeed Klopp in the Anfield dugout; Ruben Amorim, Roberto De Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann.
Amorim became the frontrunner after Xabi Alonso announced his intention to stay on as Bayer Leverkusen next season, thereby ruling himself out of the Liverpool and Bayern munich jobs.
The Portuguese came to prominence after winning the league title in 2021 and knocking Arsenal out of the Europa League last season. He’s also won the Portuguese League Cup twice with the Lisbon outfit and once with Sporting Braga. Liverpool have a fight on their hands if they do decide he is their man.
De Zerbi made an instant impact in the Premier League when he replaced Graham Potter at Brighton midway through last season, leading the Seagulls to their best league finish while implementing an attacking style of play.
Nagelsmann is currently head coach of the German national team, but will step down after Euro 2024. He’s considered one of the brightest young coaches in the game, having previously managed Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim.
Amorim reaches ‘verbal agreement’
Sky Germany claim that Ruben Amorim has verbally agreed a deal in principle to join the Reds on a three-year deal. It is said that Liverpool and Sporting are yet to finalise a deal, although the manager reportedly has a release clause worth £11m.
However, that report is contradicted by BBC Sport, who claim that “no verbal agreement” has been reached between Amorim and Liverpool.
Mandeep Sanghera reports that the Merseyside outfit are conducting a “thorough and robust process” to find their next manager, with suggestions they have identified and pursued a preferred candidate “wholly inaccurate”. Watch this space, I guess.
Barcelona were the favourites to sign Amorim not so long ago, but their chances of nabbing the 39-year-old appear to be fading.
Nagelsmann comments on future plans
Julian Nagelsmann says he has not spoken with Bayern Munich about a return to the club as he considers the next step of his career.
“I don’t have a written offer and there have been no talks,” he told RTL this week.
“I’m still in the phase where I’m thinking about what’s next from a professional perspective. I think it’s normal to take everything into account and discuss everything.
“Then there will be a decision at some point, I don’t have a fixed date yet I think there are a few clubs and a few things that might come along at some point, but at the moment it’s not like I have anything ready to sign where I can say: ‘Okay, now I’ll do it ‘. But I’m still in the phase of thinking about what’s next.”
De Zerbi not in the running?
Despite being one of the favourites to become the next Liverpool manager, Sky Sports last week claimed Roberto De Zerbi is “not one of the leading candidates” for the soon-to-be vacant role.
Liverpool have “turned their attention to other candidates”, while De Zerbi remains one of the top two contenders for the Bayern job alongside Nagelsmann, according to Sky Germany.
The Italian coach recently said that he has not decided on his future and plans to speak with Brighton chairman Tony Bloom before making a decision.
Next Liverpool manager odds
Ruben Amorim – 1/6
Roberto De Zerbi – 9/1
Julian Nagelsmann – 11/1
Thiago Motta – 14/1
Thomas Tuchel – 20/1
Ange Postecoglou – 20/1
Unai Emery – 25/1
Gary O’Neil – 25/1
Marco Rose – 25/1
