Alonso? Zidane? Who should Liverpool hire to succeed Jurgen Klopp?

 

On Friday morning, Liverpool fans were dealt the blow that Jurgen Klopp would depart the club at the end of the season. Klopp has enjoyed ample success at Anfield following his appointment back in 2015, guiding the club to domestic and continental silverware. 

 

Attention now turns to Klopp's successor. Here, we take a look five that will likely be linked with the soon-to-be-vacant Liverpool job. 

 

Pep Lijnders 

 

Liverpool's statement on Friday confirmed that Pep Lijnders will be among those leaving the club at the end of the season. The Reds may opt for a new direction entirely in the summer but a familiar face could well be on hand to ease the Reds into the next era. Lijnders is keen to pursue a career in management once the season comes to an end and having overseen a handful of games in Klopp's absence, the 41-year-old could be seen by some as a good fit. 

 

He knows the club and the players well, and has been influential in implementing the current style of play overseen at Anfield. Many at the club may want a high profile name to succeed Klopp and while Lijnders could be viewed as a safe option to some; the Dutchman is also a logical successor for the highly-decorated 56-year-old. 

 

Xabi Alonso 

 

If Liverpool are seeking to usher in a new dynasty on Merseyside, then Xabi Alonso should be their first choice to succeed Klopp at Anfield. The Spaniard is shining as Bayer Leverkusen boss this season. Indeed, Die Werkself currently top the Bundesliga and are the only side yet to lose a league game in Europe's top five leagues in 2023/24. 

 

Not only do Bayer Leverkusen rank second for goals scored (50) in Germany's top tier but they have conceded the fewest Bundesliga goals (14) this season with Alonso assembling an exciting, yet resolute, squad that is capable of shaking the 'Neverkusen' tag. The former Liverpool icon would be welcomed back to Merseyside with open arms and he'd immediately command the respect of the squad given his stature in the game.  

 

 

Julian Nagelsmann 

 

The current Germany boss is one who has been linked with a Premier League move in recent years. Both Chelsea and Tottenham have courted Julian Nagelsmann in the past but both failed to land the 36-year-old. Nagelsmann has been out of club work since his surprise sacking by Bayern Munich last March. 

 

Now in charge of the Germany national team with the former Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig boss tasked with guiding Die Mannschaft to European Championship glory on home turf, there is nothing in place at present that will see Nagelsmann remain at the Germany helm beyond Euro 2024. With a similar high-intensity approach to Klopp, his young compatriot could be a good fit. 

 

Roberto De Zerbi 

 

If Liverpool are on the hunt for Premier League experience, then Roberto De Zerbi is the standout candidate. The Italian has really made a name for himself following his appointment as Brighton in September 2022 and his exploits on the south coast haven't gone unnoticed. Like Nagelsmann, the brand of football would suit the players on the books at Anfield while the decision to leave at the end of the season would appeal to the Italian, who'd be reluctant to leave midway through a campaign. 

 

Admittedly, the Seagulls have struggled to strike a balance between domestic and European duties - they have won just one of six games post-Europa League action this season - and this may weigh against De Zerbi. However, his experience of managing in English football certainly works in the 44-year-old's favour, while his charismatic antics on the touchline rival that of Klopp.  

 

Zinedine Zidane 

 

Zinedine Zidane has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid back in 2021 but whenever a high-profile team is on the hunt for a new manager, the Frenchman is so often linked with an appointment. Indeed, Zidane has been linked with vacant roles at Manchester United, PSG and Bayern Munich in the past, and he'll undoubtedly don gossip columns as Liverpool eye up Klopp's successor. 

 

Zidane would command respect from the dressing room from the get go but having been out of work for so long, the rustiness to his managerial game may deter the higher ups at Anfield. The 51-year-old has also never managed outside of Real Madrid, which could prove a stumbling block should Zidane wish to return anytime soon.

Alonso? Zidane? Who should Liverpool hire to succeed Jurgen Klopp?