At Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp has created an enduring legacy over the past seven seasons. The former Borussia Dortmund coach led the team to every trophy available, including the FA Cup, the Champions League trophy, and the Premier League championship. Nevertheless, as is customary, all good things eventually have to end.
Liverpool has drastically fallen from glory; they were fighting on all fronts in the 2021–22 season and are now struggling to stay in the Premier League top four battle this year. The Reds are off to their worst Premier League start since the 2012–13 season, having managed just 10 points from eight games.
If things don’t improve in the upcoming weeks, the Liverpool board may have little choice but to make the cruel decision to remove Klopp from his position. It would not be simple to replace the German mastermind, of course, as there were very few applicants who could match his qualifications.
Here, we’ll examine a few potential suspects who might find themselves in the firing line should Liverpool decide to make some changes. The following five managers are potential successors to Klopp at Anfield:
#5: Zidane Zinedine
Zinedine Zidane has not accepted a new managerial position since parting relations with Real Madrid in 2021. The manager, who has won two La Liga titles and three Champions League titles, was strongly connected to Paris Saint-Germain during the summer, but the deal eventually fell through.
Zidane announced on his 50th birthday that he hopes to manage the French national team at some point (via The Daily Mail). Though he did not state it clearly, he may not have started a new career because of his desire to be on the national team. Liverpool might be the best place for Zidane to go back into club management if he decides to reverse his course.
The Reds will have a man-manager with exceptional qualities in Zidane, together with a tactician with a wealth of elite expertise. Conversely, the Frenchman would join a team that has a strong tradition, a substantial transfer budget, and a talented roster. Zidane’s move to Liverpool can end up being remembered for a very long time if all the stars align.
#4 Lijnders Pep
Pep Lijnders has been Jurgen Klopp’s go-to right-hand man at Liverpool, with the exception of a brief six-month stint in 2018 when he took over NEC in the Netherlands. It could be a risky move to select the assistant manager because he lacks high-tier managerial expertise (top five leagues). Nonetheless, it would not be incorrect to view him as Klopp’s obvious successor given the amount of time he has spent with the German.
The Reds may need to make very few changes if Lijnders takes over because he might be hesitant to alter Klopp’s recipe. Natural succession may ease the transition, although it may not significantly alter the club’s tactical structure.
Mauricio Pochettino #3
Since being fired by PSG in July, former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has been without a club. In the 2021–22 season, Pochettino led PSG to victory in Ligue 1, although he suffered consequences for not qualifying for the French Cup and the Champions League.
During his tenures with Southampton (January 2013–June 2014) and Spurs (July 2014–November 2019), Pochettino did not take home any trophies, but his playing style was well-received. Liverpool may be deterred from pursuing him by his lack of awards, but his wealth of Premier League experience should not be disregarded.
Steven Gerrard, #2
Despite his lack of experience, Steven Gerrard is a strong contender to succeed Klopp as manager of Liverpool. Since Gerrard is a legend in the club, the supporter will unwaveringly back him. He has age on his side at just 42 years old. And lastly, he has a history of attempting to play football in a visually striking manner.
Gerrard was the manager of Rangers, a Premiership team, from June 2018 until November 2021. He led the team to the league title in the 2020–21 season. As Aston Villa’s manager the previous season, he demonstrated promise by leading the team to ten victories in 27 Premier League games.
This season, Gerrard’s Villa have had difficulty getting off to a quick start; after nine games, they have managed to accumulate nine points, placing them in 16th place in the Premier League rankings. Fans may not feel confidence seeing him in command of one of the greatest football clubs until he recovers from the rocky start.
Thomas Tuchel, #1
It’s unfortunate that Thomas Tuchel, the manager of Chelsea who was recently fired, is unemployed at the moment considering his recent record of accomplishment. Prior to leading Chelsea in January 2021, Tuchel was the manager of PSG and Borussia Dortmund, respectively.
Tuchel and Dortmund shared a German Cup victory. then, among other accolades, won two Ligue 1 championships and one French Cup with PSG. Ultimately, he won the UEFA Super Cup, the Club World Cup, and the Champions League at Chelsea.
The German has a trophy cabinet to prove that he knows how to win. But he doesn’t play with the same flamboyance as Klopp. He is renowned for taking a practical approach, which is not usually connected to Liverpool. However, Tuchel might be the right choice for the board if they’re searching for someone who can assure success.
