The and the world of football at large has been rocked by the news that Liverpool boss will leave the club at the end of the season.
Klopp has enjoyed a trophy-laden nine-year reign at Anfield, most famously winning the Premier League in the 2019-20 season, their first top-flight league title in thirty years.
But the will now call time on his spell in the Liverpool dugout, revealing in an interview with the cub that he informed the owners of his decision in November and that he is ‘running out of energy’.
The departure will leave the club hierarchy will huge shoes to fill heading into next season. Here are some of the names they will likely consider.
Xabi Alonso
The Spaniard will be top of many Liverpool fans’ wishlists and for good reason. Having had spells managing in the Real Madrid youth set-up and then the Real Sociedad B team, the former Liverpool midfielder was snapped up by Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022 and has made an instant impact.
Having finished sixth in his first season in charge, Alonso’s Leverkusen side have taken the Bundesliga by storm this year, are undefeated in their 18 league games so far and four points clear of Bayern Munich.
With his attacking brand of football, Alonso could fit straight into Klopp’s Liverpool squad, with his understanding of the club a bonus that could allow for a smoother transition.
Julian Nagelsmann
Nagelsmann had a two-year spell at Bayern Munich, replacing Hansi Flick for a world record managerial transfer fee of €25 million, but failed to make the requisite progress in the Champions League that the board was looking for and was sacked despite his 71.4 per cent win rate.
Now trying to turn around the fortunes of the German national side, Nagelsmann may not want to leave so soon after embarking on the new project but may be swayed by a return to club management.
Roberto De Zerbi
Should Liverpool want someone who has managed in the Premier League before then they may have a look at Brighton’s De Zerbi. The Italian’s progressive style of football has been a hit on the South Coast, with the Italian taking Brighton into Europe during his first campaign in charge.
Klopp has spoken highly of the former Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk manager and could be a shrewd option for the Reds.
Steven Gerrard
A few years ago, it was almost certain that Gerrard would fill the shoes of Klopp after his departure. Now, that appears far less likely following a disappointing spell at Aston Villa and an uninspiring start to life in the Saudi Pro League.
The former Liverpool captain recently signed a contract extension with Al-Ettifaq and would be a surprise appointment given his recent managerial results but he would certainly have the aura and experience of the club to take on the challenge.
Zinedine Zidane
The Frenchman has not found a home since departing Real Madrid in 2021 but enjoyed great success in Spain, winning two La Liga titles as well as three successive Champions Leagues, one of which came against Liverpool in 2018.
Zidane has often been linked with the French national team job when Didier Deschamps steps aside but perhaps he could be tempted by the lure of Anfield and the Premier League.
