Five Contenders To Replace Klopp At Liverpool

Liverpool is searching for a new manager for the first time in almost ten years following the unexpected decision by Jurgen Klopp to resign at the end of the current campaign.

Five candidates are examined by AFP Sports to take the German's spot in the upcoming season:

Bailey Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso
Former midfielder Alonso of Liverpool is the front-runner because of the outstanding work he is doing at Leverkusen in Germany.

Bayern Munich hasn't lost as the reigning German champion since Klopp's Borussia Dortmund defeated rivals Bayern Munich in back-to-back championships in 2011 and 2012.

Leverkusen, who leads the Bundesliga by four points and has won 27 of their games this season across all competitions, could end that run.
After playing for Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Rafael Benitez, and Vicente del Bosque as a player, the Spaniard is putting into practice an incredible education in football.

Even though Alonso is also highly regarded by his former teams, Real Madrid and Bayern, Klopp's departure may open the door for Liverpool to pursue the most sought-after coaching candidate in European football.

Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi
Ever since taking over at Brighton in September 2021, the Italian's performance and style of play have garnered high praise.

Last season, De Zerbi guided the Seagulls to their first-ever European playoff appearance. They are currently in the round of sixteen in the Europa League.
He was made aware of Brighton's position in the Premier League hierarchy, though, when Liverpool attempted to sign Moises Caicedo prior to his August transfer to Chelsea for a British transfer record fee, and also signed Alexis Mac Allister during the summer transfer window.

Even though De Zerbi has skillfully rebuilt and Brighton is currently ranked seventh in the Premier League, it would be difficult to turn down the opportunity to compete for trophies at Anfield.

German inventor Julian Nagelsmann
After achieving success at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig, Naglesmann was once considered the rising star of German coaching. However, his meteoric rise was derailed last year when Bayern fired him in less than two years of leadership in Bavaria.

The 36-year-old has since embraced the task of turning around Germany's results in time for Euro 2024 on home soil.
With just one victory in four games—including losses to Turkey and Austria—friendly results have not looked good thus far.

Regardless of how Nagelsmann's country and the Euro perform, he might look to coach a club the following season in order to experience the daily rush.

Tottenham native Ange Postecoglou
Postecoglou's charisma and coaching prowess have revolutionised Tottenham's atmosphere, much like Klopp's arrival nine years prior did the same for Liverpool.

Spurs would demand a high price if Liverpool were to pursue Postecoglou, an Australian who is only six months into a four-year contract.

The 58-year-old, though, has a history of acting ruthlessly, leaving a company when a better one presented itself.
In 2021, Postecoglou joined Celtic midseason after winning five trophies in two seasons with the Scottish champions, and he left again the following year.

Al-Ettifaq's Steven Gerrard
Gerrard, one of Liverpool's all-time greats, would have been favoured for the position just a few years ago.

The former England captain did lead Scottish powerhouse Rangers to their only top-flight league title in the previous thirteen years in 2021, but since then, his coaching career has taken a turn for the worse.

Aston Villa fired Gerrard after less than a year in charge, and Unai Emery took over, guiding the team from relegation candidates to title contenders in the Premier League.

He became part of the Saudi Pro League's star-studded class of last year. to take charge of Al-Ettifaq and only last week he extended his contract there to 2027 despite modest results.