Liverpool went by way of a prolonged course of to establish Jurgen Klopp‘s successor in 2024, with 12 managers named amongst these thought-about earlier than hiring Arne Slot.
Slot was recognized as Liverpool’s very best candidate to take over from Klopp two years in the past and went on to carry the Premier League title in his first season.
But with doubts rising over the Dutchman’s long-term function at Anfield and a sacking definitely doable this summer time, it’s value exploring these additionally thought-about.
The Athletic ran a deep dive into Slot’s appointment and the managers mentioned by the likes of Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes in May 2024, with 12 names rising.
Liverpool Manager Targets Before Hiring Arne Slot
| Manager | Age | Current Club / Status |
|---|---|---|
| Xabi Alonso | 44 | Unattached |
| Ernesto Valverde | 62 | Athletic Bilbao – Leaving summer time 2026 |
| Luciano Spalletti | 67 | Juventus |
| Sebastian Hoeness | 43 | Stuttgart |
| Michel | 50 | Girona |
| Ruben Amorim | 41 | Unattached |
| Roberto De Zerbi | 46 | Unattached |
| Julian Nagelsmann | 38 | Germany |
| Andoni Iraola | 43 | Bournemouth |
| Eddie Howe | 48 | Newcastle |
| Simone Inzaghi | 49 | Al-Hilal |
| Paulo Fonseca | 53 | Lyon |
Slot emerged as Liverpool’s No. 1 goal for quite a lot of components, not least with lots of these listed dominated out as a poor match tactically or just on account of their availability.
Among these seen as unavailable on the time was Xabi Alonso, who’s now more and more linked with the job at Anfield after his departure from Real Madrid.
Those dominated out for tactical causes have been Ruben Amorim, Roberto De Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann, whereas it was defined that Simone Inzaghi and Paulo Fonseca have been “never seriously in the frame.”
Hughes’ connections to Andoni Iraola and Eddie Howe from their time collectively at Bournemouth noticed them additionally thought-about.
Liverpool’s ‘next Klopp’ and shock “leading contender”
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More apparently, Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeness finds himself tentatively linked amid requires Slot’s sacking and The Athletic’s report revealed that he has “many admirers at Liverpool.”
Hoeness has been in cost at Stuttgart since 2023 and his “data scores were closely aligned with Klopp’s” when Liverpool’s analysts ran the rule over potential candidates.
Similarly, it was claimed that two veteran coaches have been extremely rated, with Luciano Spalletti, now of Juventus, of “significant interest.”
Ernesto Valverde was seen as a “leading contender” and it’s maybe essential to notice that the 62-year-old has just lately introduced he’ll depart Athletic Club on the finish of the season to discover different alternatives.
Whether both of Hoeness or Valverde stay in Liverpool’s consideration is unclear, not least as no resolution has been made on Slot’s future.
There isn’t any indication as of but that Fenway Sports Group will dismiss their present head coach, however his contract is ready to run out in 2027 together with each Edwards and Hughes.
That means agency choices will must be made within the coming months over the prevailing hierarchy and the person they selected to exchange Klopp within the dugout.
The Big Debate
Should Liverpool sack Arne Slot?
With Xabi Alonso now unattached, Ernesto Valverde accessible in the summertime and the Reds dealing with a season-defining Champions League quarter-final towards PSG, the strain on the Dutchman has by no means been greater.
Should Liverpool half methods with Slot now? Let us know your choose within the feedback under!
