in

Five managers who could replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool as legendary German boss announces shock depature


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.

Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the seasonCredit: ALAMY
The German manager guided Liverpool to Champions League success in June 2019Credit: GETTY
The 56-year-old – who ended Liverpool’s 30-year wait for a league title – told the club he’d quit last NovemberCredit: TIMES NEWSPAPERS

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.

READ MORE IN FOOTBALL

“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.

Most read in Football

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

Liverpool fans around the world are all wondering who will replace KloppCredit: PA

“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.

Former Reds fan favourite and current Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso is a contender to replace Jurgen KloppCredit: PA

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.

Brighton boss Robert De Zerbi is in contention to replace Jurgen KloppCredit: AFP

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.

Jose Mourinho is a free agent and an outside candidate to replace KloppCredit: GETTY

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.

Unai Emery is flying high at Aston Villa and could potentially take charge at AnfieldCredit: GETTY

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.

READ MORE SUN STORIES

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.

Kop icon Steven Gerrard is an outside contender to replace Jurgen Klopp at the Anfield helmCredit: PA


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


Tagcloud:

Michael Schumacher health update as F1 boss says stricken legend is ‘receiving best medical treatment in human history’

Tottenham vs Man City: Get £20 free bets and £10 casino bonus with BoyleSports, plus a bumper Grealish price boost