Liverpool ‘identify TWO candidates to replace Jurgen Klopp if they fail in Xabi Alonso bid including ex-Chelsea target’

LIVERPOOL have identified two other managerial candidates if they fail to land Xabi Alonso, reports suggest.

Reds manager Jurgen Klopp rocked the Kop when he announced he would be leaving the club at the end of season.

Heads immediately turned towards who could replace the German who has held the reigns since 2015.

Former Liverpool midfielder and Bayer Leverkusen manager Alonso has been tipped by many to be Klopp’s successor.

However, with the 42-year-old guiding his Bayer team to a record-breaking 33 games without defeat and eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich have now expressed their own interest.

And should the Spaniard opt to snub an Anfield return this summer, Liverpool chiefs have already identified two alternative candidates.

As reported by The Telegraph, the Reds will move for Julian Nagelsmann and Ruben Amorim as potential alternatives.

Former Bayern manager Nagelsmann, 36, has a contract with the German national team running until the end of the summers European Championships.

Nagelsmann experienced an abrupt end to his time in Bavaria towards the back end of last season, but he remains a highly-rated coach.

He has flirted with the possibility of managing a Premier League side with Chelsea, but pulled out of negotiations before the club eventually appointed Mauricio Pochettino.

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The report adds Nagelsmann performs well against Liverpool’s testing model for managers, which measures the value added by a manager to a squad in terms of fees and wages spent.

Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim has a contract running for another two seasons after this summer, meaning Liverpool would need to pay compensation to the Portuguese outfit.

At the age of 39 Amorim is touted as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches, with Sporting neck and neck with Benfica in the Portuguese league’s title race.

Amorim also scores well against Liverpool’s managerial criteria.

Klopp is looking to get his Liverpool farewell tour underway in style by winning the Carabao Cup against Chelsea tomorrow.

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Tony Robertson

February 24, 2024 8:37 pm