By Toby Prince
Liverpool FC parted company with Northern Irishman, Brendan Rodgers, on Sunday after a three-year spell at the club.
The Reds plan to name Rodgers’s replacement before the club’s next League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on October 17.
A decision on the next manager will be based on which of the candidates is most willing to work within the club’s existing structure, and who believes they can get the most out of the existing squad.
Here are three early favourites to replace the 42-year old tactician at Anfield.
- Jurgen Klopp
If reports emanating from the media are anything to go by, then former Borussia Dortmund coach, Jurgen Klopp, is bookmakers’ favourite to replace Rodgers.
Having made it clear how eager he is to move to the Premier League, an opportunity to coach one of England’s biggest teams could be too tempting to ignore for Klopp.
“We do not only think about the top four because there are some other great clubs below them,” his agent, Marc Kosicke told Spox in June.
The 47-year-old won two Bundesliga titles and the German Cup over the course of a seven-year spell in charge of Dortmund before stepping down from the club in May to take a break from football.
Klopp’s familiarity with Liverpool’s club model – and comfort working at a club where others have more control over recruitment – is attractive to the Anfield owners.
According to Bosnian newspaper, Pravda, the German tactician has agreed a three-year deal which will see him bring Zeljko Buvac, his former assistant at Dortmund to Anfield.
Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Redknapp, has backed ‘perfect’ Klopp to lead his former club to glory.
“I think that Jurgen Klopp has that aura about him,” Redknapp told Sky Sports news. “He has that special something that some managers have. I think he could walk into Anfield and the fans would like that. I’ve got the feeling that he would be perfect fit for them.”
- Carlo Ancelotti
According to The Mail, Italian tactician, Carlo Ancelotti, could likely become the chosen one to lead Liverpool after Rodgers’ exit.
The well travelled and experienced coach, who has previously worked at Real Madrid, Chelsea, AC Milan, PSG and Juventus, is believed to have superior pedigree required for the exalted position.
Reports also suggest that the 56-year-old flew into London on Sunday, fuelling speculations over a potential takeover.
Ancelotti’s former assistant, Paul Clement, believes his former boss is an ideal replacement for Rodgers.
“Would Carlo be suitable for that position? 100%,” he told Sky Sports.
“He had a great career as a player and a sterling career as a coach as well in terms of what he has won and the clubs he has managed…
“He has got all the credibility, he is a fantastic man-manager, and he would be a perfect appointment for that club.”
Sources have, however, told ESPN FC that he is unlikely to end his planned year-long sabbatical to move to Anfield.
He has taken time off to recover from a back operation he underwent during the summer.
- Roberto Di Matteo
Chelsea UEFA Champions League winning coach Roberto Di Matteo has emerged as a shock candidate to become head of Liverpool.
Di Matteo has been out of management since May after resigning as coach of German side Schalke O4.
And according to Sky Sport Italia, the Reds are considering bringing the Italian to replace Rodgers.
He is, however, an unlikely choice at Merseyside, considering the portfolio of his rivals, Klopp and Ancelotti.
