The search for the next Liverpool manager has taken more turns this week ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s exit at the end of the season.
The Merseyside outfit were dealt a setback last week when Xabi Alonso revealed he will remain at Bayer Leverkusen next season.
The Spaniard was considered the favourite for the Anfield post, while he was also heavily linked with the Bayern Munich job, which will become available in the summer when Thomas Tuchel leaves.
Two men have emerged as the favourites to take the reins at Liverpool following that update; Roberto De Zerbi and Ruben Amorim.
The Italian tactician made an instant impact in the Premier League when he replaced Graham Potter at Brighton midway through last season, taking the club to the Europa League while implementing a highly attractive style of play.
That has attracted the attention of other clubs as well, though. Barcelona have been linked, but there now seems to be concrete interest from Bayern Munich.
The Bavarian outfit have placed De Zerbi on a three-man shortlist, according to The Times. The other names they are considering are, surprisingly, Julian Nagelsmann and former Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick.
De Zerbi has a contract that runs until 2026, but it is believed that he has a buyout clause that would enable him to leave the Seagulls this summer. Fabrizio Romano, who claims there has been “no concrete talks with Liverpool”, says that it is worth between £12-13m.
Sporting boss Amorim, meanwhile, became a serious candidate in the wake of Alonso’s decision, but he has been widely expected to take over from Xavi Hernandez at Barcelona.
The Catalan club had been put off by the £11m release clause in Amorim’s contract, but are now looking to get ahead of their rivals by expediting a deal, according to the Independent.
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.
Nagelsmann is another candidate for the Reds after he revealed he would be willing to return to club management when his stint as German national team manager comes to a close after Euro 2024. Although there would be no need for a transfer fee of sorts, the fact he will only come available in July could be an issue for clubs as they prepare for next season.
The Independent also claim that Simone Inzaghi is on an “expanded list” of potential Klopp successors.
Next Liverpool manager odds
Amorim and De Zerbi are the two frontrunners to get the job, according to bookmakers. Nagelsmann is third in the running, while Alonso is still the third favourite despite his declaration.
Ruben Amorim – 4/5
Roberto De Zerbi – 5/1
Julian Nagelsmann – 7/1
Xabi Alonso – 9/1
Pep Lijnders – 12/1
Thomas Tuchel – 16/1
Ange Postecoglou – 18/1
Unai Emery – 25/1
