Who will be the next Liverpool manager?

• Klopp to leave at end of season
• Feyenoord boss Slot is favourite after reportedly having talks
• Amorim and De Zerbi in the running

Betway

(4.5/5)

Next Liverpool manager: Exploring alternatives after Alonso’s commitment to Leverkusen

Liverpool’s quest for Jurgen Klopp’s successor could have taken a decisive turn with the club reportedly engaged in talks with Feyenoord boss Arne Slot. Slot has now emerged as a strong favourite with the bookies.

Slot, led Feyenoord to the 2022-23 Eredivisie title and a Dutch Cup win this season. They are currently in second position in the Dutch top flight. Slot has been linked with moves to the Premier League in the past, with Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.

Slot has a release clause in his contract, however, this cannot be activated until the summer of 2025. Therefore Liverpool will need to negotiate with Feyenoord if they are to secure his services.

Former LIverpool midfielder Xavi Alonso had been an early favourite for the job, but the Spaniard recently Xabi Alonso reaffirming his commitment to Bayer Leverkusen., where he has done a fine job, securing the Bundesliga title this season. The news, albeit disappointing for some supporters eyeing Alonso as Klopp’s heir, has ignited a fervent search for alternative managerial options at Anfield.

Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon is another coach who has been heavily linked with the post. Roberto De Zerbi, currently at Brighton & Hove Albion, emerges as another contender. Despite grappling with player departures, De Zerbi’s managerial prowess is evident, although concerns persist over his outspoken nature and confrontational approach to player recruitment.

Klopp stands down after successful spell

On Friday, January 26, Klopp announced that he would leave the club at the end of the season. The 56-year-old has been in charge at Liverpool since 2015. The announcement did not come as a surprise to Liverpool, who were informed of Klopp’s decision in November, however, it shocked the football community as a whole, especially in England. 

The reason given by  the successful German coach was that he has simply run out of energy and feels that he can no longer do such a demanding job. Klopp felt that he simply needed to take a year away from the game to recharge his batteries and see if he felt able to accept another position. He has already stated that he will not work for another English club.

Klopp has won the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup in his time at Anfield. Since the announcment he has gone on to secure the EFL Cup and Liverpool, top of the Premier League at the time of writing, still have an interest in the Europa League, meaning Klopp’s final season could potentially yield a treble.

Now the key question is who will take over from the popular Klopp?

Who are the favourites to be the next Liverpool manager?

Bayer Leverkusen boss Xavi Alonso was the early favourite to be the next Liverpool manager. However, the former Spain midfielder has ruled out a move, saying that he intends to stay with current Bundesliga leaders Leerkusen. Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi is another candidate fancied by bookies and pundits alike.

Arne Slot: Feyenoord boss reportedly in Anfield talks

Slot, who led Feyenoord to the 2022-23 Eredivisie title, is reportedly in talks with Liverpool, having been identified as a candidate who fits the criteria set out by the Merseyside club. After winning the title last season, Feyenoord have secured the Dutch Cup this time round and are currently second in the Eredivisie.

Xavi Alonso: Initial favourite ruled out

Former Liverpool star Alonso was top of the betting charts to step intoKlopp’s shoes at Anfield. However, the current Bayer Leverkusen manager, who graced Liverpool’s midfield from 2004 to 2009 has ruled himself out, stating that he will stay with the current Bundesliga leaders. Things can change very quickly in football and, while currently Alonso looks unlikely to be in the home dugout at Anfield any time soon, he is highly rated at Liverpool so it remains possible. He is priced at 10/1 at bet365.

Ruben Amorim in contention

Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim has a similar attacking philosophy to Klopp and, as mentioned earlier in the article, is seen as a good fit for Anfield, stylistically and in terms of what he has achieved to date.

Roberto de Zerbi: Brighton boss is a candidate

The Brighton manager has been a breath of fresh air since taking charge of the Premier League club last season. De Zerbi was called in after Graham Potter chose to leave for Chelsea, and he has built on Potter’s good work and taken the club to the next level.

The Italian manager led Brighton to Europe for the first time in the club’s history after helping them finish in sixth place last season. De Zerbi’s style of football has been a joy to watch, and he has raised the level of almost every player in his team. Brighton reached the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League this season, before losing to Roma, and De Zerbi could be a perfect candidate to replace Klopp at Anfield.

Like Xabi Alonso, de Zerbi is on a contract that extends to 2026. Should he be asked, the 44-year-old may well consider a move to Anfield.

Steven Gerrard to return

This would be a huge story. Klopp has previously stated that Steven Gerrard would be Liverpool manager in the future. Gerrard is already a Liverpool legend for his exploits at Anfield during his playing days, where he was a driving force in midfield. Gerrard’s coaching career has had its ups and downs so far, however. After a successful spell at Rangers, his stock as fallen somewhat after an underwhelming period in charge of Aston Villa. 

The former England captain was sacked last season by Villa and has since taken his talents to Saudi Arabia, where he has taken over Al-Ettifaq. He is currently rated as an outsider at 50/1 with bet365.

Odds on Liverpool’s next manager

Check out the leading candidates and the odds offered at the time of writing. Odds from bet365.

+ 18 years terms and conditions apply. Odds correct at 17:00 on 25.04.24. Odds subject to change

Liverpool managers down the years

Since 1892 21 men have managed Liverpool on a permanent basis. 

Most famous of all was Bill Shankly, who laid the foundations for the modern era and established Liverpool as a force to be reckoned with domestically and in Europe. Shankly was in charge from 1959 until 1974, and led the club out of the second division before winning three league titles, two FA Cups and a UEFA Cup (now the Europa League).

After Shankly stepped down Bob Paisley, a member of Shankly’s coaching staff took over and took the club to the next level. Building on the culture which he had helped Shankly establish, Paisley led the club to three European Cups (now the Champions League) six league titles, three EFL Cups and a UEFA Cup between 1974 and 1983. He was succeeded by Joe Fagan, another member of the coaching staff to be promoted, and Fagan won the European Cup, the league and the EFL Cup in his first season, before finishing runners-up in the league and the European Cup in his final campaign. Kenny Dalglish, who had been a key player in the successful teams of Paisley and Fagan, took over as player-manager and added three more league titles and two FA Cups, including the Double in 1985/86.

This century Liverpool have had six different managers starting with Gérard Houllier who led the club until 2004, after the Frenchman Rafael Benítez took over. Benítez stayed at Liverpool until 2010, winning the Champions League in 2005. Roy Hodgson took over and was followed by Dalglish, taking over for a second time, before being replaced by Brendan Rodgers. The Northern Irishman was sacked in the Autumn of 2015, with Klopp taking over. 

Liverpool: Can they end Klopp’s spell with silverware?

At the time of writing Liverpool have one trophy in the bag and are still fighting on two more fronts. They are in an intriguing three way race for the Premier League with Arsenal and favourites Manchester City, are in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, the only trophy available to him which Klopp has failed to win at Anfield.

At the time of writing, bet365 have Liverpool as 6/5 favourites to win the Premier League and 10/11 favourites to win the Europa League.

What can we expect from Liverpool next season?

Klopp has left a fine legacy. As well as a high quality squad there a a number of talented young players coming through the ranks. However, there is often a period of transition when a new manager takes over at any club. Sometimes a manager can go into a club which has been successful and win trophies immediately.  However, other times they will need a period of transition. Much depends on who Liverpool appoint and whether the current playing staff are suited to the new coach’s methods.

Betfred

(4.5/5)

SBK

(4.2/5)

Jurgen Klopp: Career details

Klopp spent most of his playing career at Mainz 05. Has was at the club between 1990 and 2001.. He became the club’s manager in 2001, and secured Bundesliga promotion in 2004. In 2008 he became manager of Borussia Dortmund, leading them to the Bundesliga title in 2010–11, before winning the club’s first-ever domestic double. Klopp also guided Dortmund to runners-up in the Champions League in 2012 – 13.

Klopp was Liverpool manager in the Autumn of 2015. He has guided the club to UEFA Champions League finals in 2018 and 2022, and won the trophy in 2019 to secure his first – and Liverpool’s sixth – title in the competition. Klopp’s side finished second in the 2018–19 The next season, Klopp won the UEFA Super Cup and Liverpool’s first FIFA Club World Cup, before delivering Liverpool’s first title since 1990, their first in the  Premier League era.

Liverpool registered a club record 99 points and broke a number of top-flight records. Klopp also won a cup double of the EFL Cup and FA Cup in 2022.

Jurgen Klopp honours won by club

Mainz 05

2. Bundesliga third-place promotion: 2003–04

Borussia Dortmund

Bundesliga: 2010–11, 2011–12

DFB-Pokal: 2011–12; runner-up: 2013–14, 2014–15

DFL-Supercup: 2013, 2014

UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2012–13

Liverpool

Premier League: 2019–20

FA Cup: 2021–22

Football League Cup/EFL Cup: 2021–22; runner-up: 2015–16

FA Community Shield: 2022

UEFA Champions League: 2018–19; runner-up: 2017–18, 2021–22

UEFA Super Cup: 2019

FIFA Club World Cup: 2019

UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2015–16

Betway

(4.5/5)