LIVERPOOL have been rocked by the news of Jurgen Klopp’s imminent departure – and five managers are in contention to replace the German.
The iconic Kop chief dropped the bombshell news that he’ll leave Anfield at the end of the season on Friday morning.
He said: “I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment, when you hear it for the first time.
“But obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it.
“I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff.
“I love everything. But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.
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“It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy.
“I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now.
“I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.
“After the years we had together and after all the time we spent together and after all the things we went through together.
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“The respect grew for you, the love grew for you and the least I owe you is the truth – and that is the truth.”
Reds fans around the world are now wondering who will fill the void Klopp will leave in the Anfield dugout.
And SunSport is on hand with the five standout candidates to succeed the club’s soon-to-be former legendary manager.
Xabi Alonso
The former Reds midfielder is the favourite to replace Klopp after a stellar one-and-a-half seasons in charge of Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso has a 64 per cent win ratio for the Bundesliga outfit, whom he guided to a sixth-placed finish and Europa League football last season.
Getting the Basque boss won’t be an issue as Leverkusen placed a clause in his contract – which expires in the summer of 2026 – allowing him to leave at the end of the season if the Merseysiders come calling.
Roberto De Zerbi
The Italian has been a revelation for Brighton since replacing Graham Potter at the Amex in September 2022.
Brighton finished in sixth place last season, a mere five points behind Liverpool.
The Seagulls will no doubt fight tooth and nail to keep De Zerbi on the south coast.
But they’ll ultimately be powerless to stop him from joining the Merseysiders if they come calling and he expresses a desire to leave.
Jose Mourinho
The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss is currently a free agent after being axed by Italian giants Roma this month.
Mourinho has had a fiery history with the club in the past, but he’d be the perfect man to bring in if the Reds brass want a big-name manager to replace Klopp.
Liverpool, however, would likely face competition for the services from Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab, who are rumoured to be in talks to appoint the Portuguese as their new manager.
Unai Emery
The Spaniard has well and truly bounced back from a disastrous spell with Arsenal at Villa Park.
Emery guided Aston Villa to a seventh-placed finish last season, a feat they’re on course to better as they’re currently fourth in the Premier League table.
Emery has Villa playing an exciting style of football which wouldn’t be out of place at Anfield.
Steven Gerrard
The Reds icon has been touted as a future manager of the club ever since he hung up his playing boots.
His ill-fated spell at Aston Villa, however, may have put the club off from giving him an emotional managerial Anfield return.
And on top of that, the former England man has just signed a new contract with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq.
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Stranger things have, however, happened in the beautiful game.
And given his immense standing with Kopites, it’s not entirely beyond the realm of possibility that he finds himself standing in the Anfield dugout.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
