Liverpool Next Manager: Top contenders to replace Jurgen Klopp, after Xabi Alonso rejection reason emerges…

Liverpool’s search for a new manager is underway, as they look to find a suitable replacement for Jurgen Klopp.

However, their pursuit hit a roadblock when Xabi Alonso turned down the opportunity. Despite this setback, there are still several top contenders in the running for the position.

Michael Edwards has made his return to Liverpool, while Richard Hughes has assumed the role of sporting director.

This change has brought a sense of optimism among supporters regarding the future without Jurgen Klopp as manager.

Klopp will be departing Liverpool at the end of the season, and the club is currently on the lookout for a suitable successor to the iconic 56-year-old.

Klopp mentioned his decreasing energy levels as a factor in his decision to step down after over eight-and-a-half years at Merseyside, during which he achieved great success, including hopefully more trophies before the season concludes.

Liverpool fans may have to wait until the end of the current campaign to find out who will replace Klopp, as there are several names being linked with the hot seat. While the anticipation builds, we have created our new power rankings of potential candidates for the Liverpool manager position. These rankings will be regularly updated based on performance and the strength of their connections to the job.

9. FRANCK HAISE

At number 9 on our list is Franck Haise. Although his name may come as a surprise to some, the 52-year-old coach has gained recognition in France for his impressive work with Lens. He has transformed the team from obscurity to one of the top contenders in the country, excluding Paris Saint-Germain.

French journalist Jonathan Johnson has drawn comparisons between Haise’s achievements at Lens and Klopp’s success story at Dortmund. It is also rumored that Liverpool has been keeping an eye on Haise for several years.

Haise is known for his tactical flexibility and ability to bring out the best in his players. Last season, he was named Ligue 1 manager of the year for guiding Lens to a second-place finish.

While Haise may be the choice of the true football hipsters, it is still highly unlikely that he will be appointed at this stage.

8. THOMAS TUCHEL

Thomas Tuchel’s credentials are unquestionable, but his recent tenure at Bayern Munich has brought his methods, personality, and tactics under intense scrutiny.

Despite having top players like Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, and Manuel Neuer, Bayern has fallen short of their usual high standards this season.

It appears that they are on track to lose the Bundesliga title for the first time since 2012, with their only hope for silverware being the Champions League, a feat that seems unlikely.

Tuchel’s departure from Die Roten at the end of the season seems imminent due to their lackluster performances, making him a cost-effective option for potential suitors.

However, his track record suggests that he may not stay long at his next destination, and his coaching style may not align with what is desired at Anfield.

While there are rumors of a potential return to England for Tuchel, a move to Anfield seems highly unlikely.

7. THOMAS FRANK

Thomas Frank’s reputation has taken a significant hit this season, despite his evident tactical prowess and impressive coaching abilities.

Brentford’s performance has suffered greatly in the absence of Ivan Toney, and it was only after his return in January that the team managed to revive their season.

Nevertheless, Brentford currently sits at a modest 15th position in the table, a mere five points away from the relegation zone. It is worth noting that Frank lacks the experience of managing a top-tier European club, despite his aspirations.

Appointing Frank as the head of a prominent club would be an enormous gamble, one that is unlikely to yield positive results.

6. ANGE POSTECOGLOU

Ange Postecoglou has made a significant impact in English football since his arrival, completely revamping Tottenham after leaving Celtic last summer.

His football philosophy, which mirrors Liverpool’s, focuses on playing attacking, high-risk football whenever possible.

This approach has quickly won over the Spurs fans, showcasing his charismatic charm that Liverpool will surely miss once Klopp leaves.

Despite being a lifelong Liverpool supporter, it appears improbable that he would abandon the progress he has made at Tottenham, even if Liverpool showed interest. Recent reports also confirm his commitment to remaining in London.

5. XABI ALONSO

Despite being the top contender and the ideal replacement for Klopp, it seems unlikely that former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso will make a return to Anfield.

Reliable sources indicate that the Spanish coach has decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen instead, making it highly improbable for him to take over at Liverpool this summer.

Alonso has achieved remarkable success with Die Werkself this season, remaining undefeated as they lead the Bundesliga table and progress in both the DFB Pokal and Europa League.

While Alonso was the obvious and beloved choice for the position, Liverpool will now need to consider other potential candidates. Nevertheless, a dramatic change of heart from Alonso would certainly not be rejected.

4. SIMEONE INZAGHI

Simeone Inzaghi, with an impressive track record of winning multiple trophies and reaching the finals of the Champions League, has been making waves in Serie A this season. Despite his brother’s heartbreaking moment for Liverpool in 2007, there are numerous positive aspects to highlight about Inzaghi.

As the manager of Inter, he is on the verge of securing his first scudetto and is expected to be in high demand this summer, with several top European clubs searching for a new coach.

Although there have been rumors linking Liverpool to Inzaghi, there haven’t been many reliable sources to support these claims.

According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, the renowned Italian sports newspaper, it is suggested that Inzaghi would reject any approach from the Reds regardless.

At just 36 years old, Inzaghi is a rising star in the managerial world, and his name is definitely one to keep an eye on. However, it may be challenging for Liverpool to secure his services due to his prior commitments throughout the summer.

3. JULIAN NAGELSMANN

It is challenging to assess Julian Nagelsmann’s performance as the Germany coach, especially since he has not yet overseen a competitive match.

Despite only leading the team in six friendlies leading up to the European Championships, recent wins against France and the Netherlands have raised hopes for a successful tournament.

As the hosts for the upcoming Euros, Nagelsmann’s current contract with Die Mannschaft will expire after the competition. With his successful stints at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig, Nagelsmann has earned significant praise, although his departure from Bayern was seen as unjust.

At just 36 years old, he continues to be a promising figure to keep an eye on, even though his availability this summer may pose challenges for potential appointments.

2. ROBERTO DE ZERBI

Roberto De Zerbi, the Brighton manager, initially received praise for his performance in the Premier League, leading the Seagulls to their first-ever European campaign with a commendable sixth-place finish last season.

However, this year has presented more challenges for the Italian as Brighton has struggled with inconsistency domestically. Their hopes of progressing in the Europa League were dashed after a crushing 4-1 defeat on aggregate against Roma in the last 16.

In an effort to address their defensive vulnerabilities, De Zerbi has attempted to tighten up Brighton’s backline. Unfortunately, this has come at the cost of limiting their attacking prowess.

While De Zerbi’s suitability for a managerial role at a top European club has been questioned this season, he continues to be an intriguing name on Liverpool’s radar, with reports suggesting that the club’s sporting director, Hughes, is a strong admirer of the Brighton boss. In fact, Hughes had even tried to secure De Zerbi’s services during his time at Bournemouth.

1. RUBEN AMORIM

The young and highly-regarded manager of Sporting CP has emerged as Liverpool’s top choice to succeed Klopp.

At just 39 years old, he has already made a significant impact by breaking the dominance of Porto and Benfica in the Primeira Liga. In 2021, he led Sporting CP to their first league title in 19 years.

This season, he seems poised to repeat that success as his team currently sits at the top of the table with a one-point lead and a game in hand.

Despite their recent disappointment in the Europa League against Atalanta, Sporting CP still has a chance to reach the Taca de Portugal final after defeating Benfica in the first leg of the semi-finals.

With the news of Alonso’s departure, Liverpool may be tempted to activate Amorim’s release clause to avoid lengthy negotiations with Sporting CP.