Jurgen Klopp will stand down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season.
The 56-year-old has informed the club’s ownership of his shock decision after a hugely successful spell in charge which has – so far – yielded six major trophies, including the Premier League in 2020 and 2019 Champions League.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the possible contenders to succeed Klopp at Anfield.
Steven Gerrard
Gerrard looked a potential Liverpool manager in waiting after starting his coaching career with the youth teams at Anfield and then enjoying success at Rangers, leading the Scottish giants to their first league title for 10 years. However, he failed to repeat such success at Aston Villa and was sacked after just two wins in the first 12 league games of the 2022-23 season and subsequently made a controversial move to Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.
Xabi Alonso
Another former Anfield favourite, Alonso began his coaching career with a Real Madrid youth team before being appointed Real Sociedad B boss in 2019. Alonso guided the club to promotion in his second season in charge, but left the following season with relegation guaranteed with a game to spare. The 42-year-old is currently in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, who are unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season and top the table by four points from Bayern Munich.
Roberto De Zerbi
Former Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk manager De Zerbi would certainly match Klopp’s passion on the touchline, the 44-year-old serving two bans last season and admitting in November he does not like “80 per cent of English referees”. On the pitch, De Zerbi guided Brighton into Europe for the first time in their history and they topped Group B of the Europa League to reach the last 16.
Julian Nagelsmann
News of Klopp’s departure was quickly linked with the future of Germany head coach Nagelsmann, whose short-term contract with the national team ends after this summer’s European Championships. Could the pair simply swap roles? Nagelsmann made his name at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig before winning the Bundesliga title and DFL-Supercup in his first season at Bayern Munich.
Jose Mourinho
The former Porto, Chelsea and Manchester United manager is out of work after being sacked by Roma earlier this month with the side ninth in Serie A. Mourinho won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and three League Cups during two spells in charge of Chelsea after winning the Champions League with Porto. The 61-year-old also won the Champions League as manager of Inter Milan and claimed the LaLiga title with Real Madrid, but would have plenty of work to do to win over Liverpool fans.
maabiklruz
0
And am fan of Stiven Gerrard; but Alonso is the number one; to the job;
maabiklruz
0
Jose Mourinho is dead manager; who has no future in all the teams has passed/ in terms of the players to be one/or to keep a team on five years basis/ while they are playing the same system of the game; is why they chasing him whenever he goes.
Vucbceipst
0
we want our legends become next manager..Steven G and alonso
Nabbimstuy
0
am not a Liverpool fan but Alonso would be a more successful manager at Liverpool than Steven because if u look where there are now Leverkusen in the bundas Liga and the the tactic which he elaborate and the style of play they dispose u can see he's is a tactical coach!
Bowbcelsu
0
Alonso
AnupMaharjan
1
Alonso ia the perfect fit....His style of play is suitable for Liverpool....
fohakmnpst
0
all those negative couches 👎 no
fohakmnpst
0
no we don't want Zidane or dizerbi's no the person who played for our own team, this is not about criticism no only a blind man who can not see can do nonsense and put his family their, the Job is fair won by the man Alonso no one will deny that,
fohakmnpst
0
only Man united supporters would want Gerard to succeed klopp but all of us we want to win 🏆 not draght like some of those managers
fohakmnpst
0
not today you win tomorrow you loose no,
fohakmnpst
0
Useless if you want us to be relegated Jah someone can give Gerard an opportunity but me Alonso is the best looking even to the record WWWWWWWWWIN that's what our players want and us supporters 2 want it that way
fohakmnpst
1
ayeh not Gerrard yes he was a great player good captain but interms of managing he is just like Henry
Liyblnopst
0
Alonso will be the ideal manager for a big club ynwa
zocabdiku
0
Steve G
tatbcnopu
0
Get for us Xabi or Zidane
Eddycure09
0
please get Gerard or lampard or Rooney
Gerrard, lampard, and Rooney should be assistant's coach.
Eddycure09
0
Steven Gerrard? that's a big NO, NO. Steven Gerrard still has a lot learn as a coach.
Kesadlor
2
please get Gerard or lampard or Rooney
hembcilmpy
0
it can't be Gerrard never he is the worst at managing
hahelnprt
0
xabi alonso coach of Liverpool FC will perfectly 🔴⚪🙏
hahelnprt
0
xabi alonso should replace 🙏💯
fasadkos
0
Xabi Alonso
Manuman16
0
Best option is the post guy at Tottenham, would be interesting to see him at Liverpool, got a feeling he would do great things there
SonicSynchro
5
Perhaps Zinedine Zidane manages Liverpool FC 😁❤️
saifulbahrie
0
Xabi Alonso please..
Zeyceilpsu
1
pls no steven gerrad he only to ruined klopp legacy
KeronKush
1
I think Liverpool need to realise that Gerrard is nowhere near the quality manager he was as a player. They need to get past that obsession. He isn't good enough to coach Liverpool.
lightrex
2
Xavi Alonso or De Zerbi
ponamruz
0
if not Xabi Alonso,then Zidane
Lemikiba
0
I prefer Roberto De Zerbi(Brighton Coach)to be the next Liverpool manager.
Vuscruy
2
of course xabi alonso is the perfect replacement
itz_me_ojei
3
Steven Gerrard? Indeed he's our legend but we don't need him as a coach 👎 We need Xabi Alonso ❤️
BLKBtl
2
Definitely not Gerrard
zapatabelo
3
klopp is klopp, he is nevr flop. he is legend in livpool history