RAFA BENITEZ watched Liverpool sink to a shock 3-0 hammering against Atalanta as he looks for his next managerial job.
The Spaniard spent six years at Anfield, famously guiding them to the Champions League trophy in 2005.
His last role was with Celta Vigo but he was sacked in March following a horror run of results and eight months in charge.
Benitez is still looking for a new venture and was recently a shock candidate linked with replacing England boss Gareth Southgate.
Liverpool are also recruiting for a new manager following Jurgen Klopp’s shock announcement that he will leave in the summer.
Currently, Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim leads the race to succeed amid reports he has reached an agreement with Liverpool.
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Sky Sports Germany have reported that Amorim, who has impressed as boss of Sporting, is pushing for a move to join Liverpool.
The 39-year-old is said to be willing and able to pen a deal that would see him stay at Anfield until at least 2027.
However, nothing is set in stone and negotiations with current club Sporting are still yet to take place, meaning the deal could still hit a stumbling block.
And Liverpool denied any agreement being reached.
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The Portuguese coach’s deal in Lisbon currently runs until 2026 and is believed to have a release clause of £25m.
However, it has been suggested that figure would drop down to a more affordable £17m for clubs outside of Portugal.
Liverpool are said to be hopeful that they can further drive down that fee to a figure of around £8.5m.
Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, German boss Julian Nagelsmann and Klopp’s No2 Pep Lijnders are other names in the frame.
Liverpool next manager candidates
- Ruben Amorim
Currently in charge at Sporting Lisbon and linked with top clubs in Europe
- Roberto De Zerbi
Brighton’s manager who is linked with a big move next after transforming the Prem club
- Julian Nagelsmann
Former Bundesliga winner with Bayern currently in charge of Germany
- Pep Lijnders
Klopp’s trusted No2 with a link to Liverpool and the squad
- Ange Postecoglou
Turned Spurs into a front-foot side chasing Champions League football
- Thomas Tuchel
Champions League winner with Chelsea available next summer having announced his departure at Bayern
- Xabi Alonso
Linked with the Liverpool and Bayern roles despite announcing he will remain at Bayer Leverkusen
- Steven Gerrard
Liverpool legend and Scottish Prem winner with Rangers, currently in Saudi with Al-Ettifaq
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
