Liverpool fans are at the edge of their seats thanks to the drama surrounding Jürgen Klopp’s replacement.
Many names were put forward as the German’s replacement following his exit announcement in January this year. The biggest disappointment was Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool midfielder who is currently regarded as football’s best coaching prodigy.
The Spaniard, who just won the German Bundesliga with Bayer 04 Leverkusen to end their “Neverkusen” history and end Bayern Munich’s hegemony, committed his future to Die Werkself for at least one more season amidst speculation of him replacing Klopp.
Since then, other names have been touted as replacements including Brighton and Hove Albion’s Roberto De Zerbi, Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim, LOSC Lille’s Paulo Fonseca and Feyenoord’s Arne Slot.
Some news outlets even mention José Mourinho, whose comments on his future in coaching for the profile that Liverpool are looking for.
“My dream job description – because sometimes you have a job title and another thing is the job description – is ‘head coach’,” Mourinho said in a recent interview.
“That’s my dream. To be the coach. To be the guy who works with the team, focus on developing players, preparing matches.”
Liverpool are building a solid backbone for the future and are only looking for a head coach. This has led to Mourinho being touted for the role.
While it is unlikely that the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur manager ends up at Anfield, his candidacy now has more chance than Amorims, after talks with the Portuguese manager’s entourage ended in an impasse.
Furthermore, Amorim was reportedly sighted on a flight to London to talk about West Ham United’s manager role with the East London club.
Talks are ongoing with Slot and Fonseca, who are now the two leading candidates for the role. Slot is currently with Feyenoord after turning down the chance to manage Spurs in the summer in favour of continuing with the Eredivisie side until 2026. Fonseca, meanwhile, has been approached informally over the role.
The next couple of weeks will be interesting for Liverpool fans, who will currently be biting their nails over the future of their club which Klopp has so brilliantly set up for success.
Meanwhile, the end of the Klopp era could also signify the end of the Reds’ partnership with Nike, the sportswear company that has supplied their kits since the 2020/21 season.
The reasoning is Nike’s reportedly low sponsorship deal which sees them pay £30 million yearly to Liverpool while the likes of Manchester United earn £90 million from Adidas, who the Reds are also believed to be in talks with.
The new manager could come in to meet a new kit sponsor which will be the true signifier of a new era at the club.
