After nine years in charge, Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
Following the German steward’s surprise and emotional announcement via the Club’s official website on Friday, the search for 56-year-old’s replacement has begun in earnest.
Klopp brought Liverpool their first Premier League crown in 2020, so the clamour for the right name will be loud.
So where do the markets currently sit in the running for next Liverpool manager?
Alonso next Liverpool manager?
Perhaps inevitably, focus on potential replacements for Klopp have turned to former players, most notably, Xabi Alonso.
The former Reds midfielder is arguably the hottest property in European management right now, with Alonso having guided Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga standings.
Die Werkself have never won the German league crown to date and their last silverware was back in 1993 with the DFB Pokal.
A man who has revolutionised football not just in Leverkusen but across Germany, Alonso ticks a lot boxes with his attacking approach and fluid style, not to mention his five years at Anfield, including their 2005 European glory.
With reports stating both Alonso and Liverpool’s hierarchy have had discussions, would though, Alonso choose to leave one of the biggest projects in football so early?
Alonso would be a hugely popular appointment and is the current favourite to return to Liverpool, at 4/6 with William Hill.
Other contenders
The list of other names lining up to be next Liverpool manager is heavyweight.
Another former Liverpool icon and a teammate of Alonso, Steven Gerrard‘s name has again been thrown into the ring.
A name seemingly destined for a role in the Liverpool set-up at some point in the future, Gerrard is currently in charge of Saudi club Al-Ettifaq.
Despite the riches of the Saudi Pro League, a chance to manage his boyhood club would surely be too big an opportunity.
Doubts remain over his management ability at the top level, but Gerrard is a 16/1 punt with BoyleSports.
A shorter-price, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi will be a man in demand, if he decides to leave the South Coast.
The Italian, having turned the Seagulls into one of the most attractive sides in Europe has turned the eye of many a club chairman and is a 7/1 price with 10Bet.
Luis Enrique, Diego Simeone and Zinedine Zidane are all in the frame, however, none of the trio seem a good match for now.
With Klopp’s number two, Pep Lijnders having ruled himself out, compatriot Julian Nagelsmann could be an interesting name to watch at 12s with BoyleSports.
Outsiders
A plethora of other-rans have been compiled by the bookies, some former Premier League managers.
Jose Mourinho – fresh from his dismissal at AS Roma – and Antonio Conte are both on the table at 20 and 25/1 respectively – also with 10Bet.
Former personnel with Anfield dugout experience are also in the frame, however all three of Rafa Benitez, Brendan Rodgers and Roy Hodgson appear nothing more than narratives.
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna is another of the continent’s bright young things having turned the Tractor Boys from a side languishing in League One to close to restoring their Premier League status after over two decades.
McKenna is a lofty 50/1, and unlikely.
