Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will leave the Merseyside club at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, bringing an end to his time at Anfield after nine years.
The German joined the Reds in October 2015, a few months after leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of the 2014-15 campaign, and he has since established himself as one of the best managers in the history of the club, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, FA Community Shield, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup with them so far.
Liverpool have a huge task on their hands as they look to land the perfect replacement for Klopp, and here are five candidates the Reds should be looking at.
Jürgen Klopp has announced his decision to step down as #LFC manager at the end of the season, having informed the club’s ownership of his wish to leave his position in the summer.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 26, 2024
JULEN LOPETEGUI
The former Real Madrid manager was recently at Wolverhampton Wanderers before leaving them last August due to their Financial Fair Play struggles.
Lopetegui previously managed Spain and Sevilla before moving to the Premier League, winning the Europa League with the latter in 2019-20, and he has a style of play that could suit Liverpool.
JULIAN NAGELSMANN
The 36-year-old is the current manager of Germany after he was relieved of his duties at Bayern Munich in March 2023.
The former TSG Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig boss only started his managerial career in 2016, but he has done enough to prove himself, and with Klopp linked with the German national team job, Nagelsmann could soon be out of work if the Liverpool manager is snapped up by Die Mannschaft.
He is someone the Reds should be looking at.
ROBERTO DE ZERBI
The Brighton & Hove Albion manager has proven himself since moving to the Premier League from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2022, and he has already been linked with Manchester City.
The Italian has what it takes to become one of the best managers on the planet, and he could prove to be the perfect Klopp replacement Liverpool are crying out for.
The Liverpool manager loves the style of football the Seagulls are playing under De Zerbi, showering praise on him following a 2-2 draw between both clubs back in October.
“I have to say I could not respect more what he is doing,” Klopp said after the game.
“I’m a real supporter of it, I’m a football lover and if someone comes in with the impact he has on football, that shouldn’t be underestimated.”
XABI ALONSO
The Liverpool legend is unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season with Bayer Leverkusen, and he has been linked with the Real Madrid job.
Alonso, 42, only started managing a first-team in 2022 following earlier stints with Real Madrid youth team and Real Sociedad B, but he has the potential to become a force to reckon with as far as top managers go, and most Liverpool fans will love to see him replace Klopp.
Wait you guys are right… it’s actually easy….. Simply : Xabi Alonso 🔮 #LFC #JurgenKlopp
— Ryan Babel (@Ryanbabel) January 26, 2024
Leverkusen are currently top of the Bundesliga and have been playing some impressive football under Alonso, and a move to his old club could be too tempting to turn down if he leads his club to the German top-flight title at the end of the season.
ZINEDINE ZIDANE
The Frenchman has been out of work since 2021 after his second spell with Real Madrid, and he is a candidate Liverpool should have their eyes on.
He won two La Liga titles and three Champions League with Madrid, and while that is no guarantee he will succeed elsewhere, taking a punt on someone with such an impressive trophy within a short while would not hurt.
