Ranking the 5 biggest contenders for next Liverpool manager – Amorim, Nagelsmann and more

Ranking the 5 biggest contenders for next Liverpool manager – Amorim, Nagelsmann and more
FotMob - April 4, 2024, 11:30 AM
Liverpool are yet to announce their replacement for Jürgen Klopp, with a number of candidates emerging to take over the manager’s job at the end of the season.
By Jack Lusby, ThisIsAnfield.com

Until the end of March, it was widely expected that Xabi Alonso would assume the responsibility in the Anfield dugout upon Klopp’s exit.

But Liverpool’s heir apparent has committed his future to Bayer Leverkusen – at least for another year – as he prepares for a remarkable end to a season in which his side are yet to suffer defeat and are likely to win the Bundesliga at the very least.

The news that Alonso was no longer being considered by those in the Fenway Sports Group hierarchy came as a shock to supporters, and has seen a number of candidates held up as potential successor.

With just under two months and a maximum of 14 games left with Klopp in charge, who is the best fit for the job? Here we rank five of the biggest contenders for next Liverpool manager.

5. Thomas Frank (Brentford)
One of the first names reported after Klopp announced his resignation was Brentford manager Thomas Frank – and, in ways, it makes sense.

Frank certainly fits the bill in terms of his personality: the Dane has shown himself to be thoughtful, compassionate and principled during his time in England, while his famous “no d*ckheads” policy when it comes to his squad matches that of Klopp.

There are definitely signs that he is an elite manager in the making, too, despite the obvious restrictions imposed on him at Brentford. He has led the Bees to the Premier League and kept them there, with many of their fans adamant he would have a job for life.

But whether the step up to Liverpool, and in particular as Klopp’s replacement, would be too vast at this stage in his career is an obvious concern.

Frank may tick many boxes, but his CV is not yet strong enough.

4. Simone Inzaghi (Inter Milan)
One of the more left-field contenders, Simone Inzaghi will undoubtedly have scored highly in the club’s initial data-led search.

After Antonio Conte ended an eight-season spell in which Inter Milan failed to finish above fourth and dropped as low as ninth by restoring the club to perennial challenger status, Inzaghi has kept up the momentum.

With second and third-placed finishes in his first two campaigns in charge, the 47-year-old now has Inter a staggering 14 points clear of rivals AC Milan at the top of Serie A, with only 11 more required to add a league title to his two Coppa Italia and three Supercoppa Italia wins since taking over in 2021.


Having also led Inter to the Champions League final last season – and won three trophies in his first managerial role at Lazio – Inzaghi is rightly attracting admirers for his inventive, attacking football, with a 3-5-2 featuring two central strikers.

Inzaghi seems primed to step up to another major role in terms of his on-field achievements, but the language barrier is likely to put FSG off as he is unable to speak English fluently.

3. Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton)
The latest reports claim that Liverpool are shifting their attentions away from Roberto De Zerbi – which may suggest that a decision is closer than expected, with the Italian having been a leading candidate on paper.

De Zerbi has only enhanced his reputation since joining Brighton in 2022, with the Sussex club’s replacement for Graham Potter having prompted bizarre scrutiny when it was announced.

That includes leading Brighton to European football for the first time in their history, finishing sixth in the Premier League in 2022/23 and securing a place in the Europa League.

His bold, intelligent brand of football, which requires his players to be brave on the ball and flexible off it, would almost certainly prove a hit at Anfield, while De Zerbi’s passion off the pitch shows that he would ‘get’ what it means to be Liverpool manager.

Perhaps Klopp’s claim that he would not be able to coach De Zerbi’s style of play – “it goes against my personality” – is a red flag shared by those in Liverpool’s hierarchy.

2. Julian Nagelsmann (Germany)
The youngest manager on the shortlist, 37-year-old Julian Nagelsmann may also be the most divisive.

His CV is undoubtedly impressive, having gone from Hoffenheim to RB Leipzig to Bayern Munich and now the Germany national team, while he has long been considered one of the finest young coaches in Europe.

That progress could continue at Liverpool, where he would likely slot in as a comfortable successor to Klopp, capable of cultivating a similar style of play on the pitch and a long-term vision off it.

But there are obvious issues, not least his acrimonious exit from Bayern in 2023 and the perception that he is more arrogant than confident, while he would be unable to take over at Anfield until midway through pre-season, due to his commitments at this summer’s Euros.

Given there is a relatively small pool of proven options to take over from Klopp, however, if those concerns are allayed, Nagelsmann would resemble one of the most convincing candidates.

1. Rúben Amorim (Sporting CP)

Rúben Amorim is currently positioned as the front-runner for the job – and rightly so, as he is arguably the most viable option.

At 39 and with six years of experience already, he fits the profile as a young, ambitious manager with proven credentials and major upside, which according to widespread reports has made him a favourite among Liverpool’s data team.

He led Sporting CP to their first Primera Liga title in almost 20 years in 2020/21 – his first season in charge – and has his sights set on a league and cup double to potentially sign off this time around.


Amorim’s 3-4-3 system at Sporting has thrived on high-risk, high-intensity football, with no team scoring more goals (77) in this season’s Portuguese top flight and only two conceding fewer (26) – though his setup may differ to Klopp’s, his philosophy is arguably closer than any other candidate.

Fluent in English and with an understanding of representing a club with the profile of Liverpool from his time as a player with Benfica and now manager of Sporting, there are genuinely few downsides to Amorim as next manager.

While Alonso may have been the perfect candidate to succeed Klopp, Amorim is as close as they come as an alternative.

(Images from IMAGO)

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Premier League
Premier League confirm nominees for Player & Manager of the Month for March
Seven players nominated for Player of the Month award previously won by Rasmus Hojlund
Four managers in contention for March award
Premier League heading into dying embers of the season with everything still up for grabs

By Toby Cudworth
Apr 4, 2024
Alexis Mac Allister and Son Heung-min are in contention for the Player of the Month award
Alexis Mac Allister and Son Heung-min are in contention for the Player of the Month award / Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images
The Premier League have confirmed the shortlists for the Player and Manager of the Month awards for March.

Seven players are recognised for their form, with a new winner of the award to be named after Rasmus Hojlund's success for Manchester United in February.

Title rivals Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp are in contention for the manager's gong, with two other Premier League bosses also in the running after impressive runs of form.

Premier League Player of the Month shortlist - March 2024
Ben White gestures during Arsenal's 0-0 draw with Manchester City
Ben White has raised the bar of his performances / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)
Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham)
Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)
Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
Ben White (Arsenal)
Newcastle striker Alexander Isak is recognised for his four-goal contribution in March which included a double in the thrilling 4-3 win over West Ham United at St James' Park. The Swede, who has 15 goals to his name this season, also scored in his two other outings, against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea.

Alexis Mac Allister created 11 chances in three March appearances for Liverpool, who are well and truly in the mix for a second Premier League title in four years. The Argentine got on the scoresheet himself as well as adding two assists.

Fulham's form has been very up and down but things have only been trending one way for Rodrigo Muniz up front - he was in terrific form in March, scoring four goals and contributing an assist in four matches.

Cole Palmer continues to be Chelsea's leading light in a season doused with inconsistency - three goals and two assists his record from games against Brentford, Newcastle United and Burnley - while Son Heung-min has been in form for London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. The South Korean chalked up five goal invovlements, netting important goals against Crystal Palace, Luton Town and Aston Villa.

All eyes have been on Dominic Solanke down at Bournemouth but it's teammate Antoine Semenyo who has stolen the limelight in March. The 24-year-old helped the Cherries go unbeaten in four games, making the biggest impact against Luton as Bournemouth miraculously fought back from 3-0 down to win 4-3 at the Vitality - Semenyo's game-levelling goal followed by a winner soon after.

Finally, Ben White's impressive form for Arsenal is acknowledged with a March nomination. The Gunners were unbeaten in their three games, including a goalless draw at rivals Man City, and White scored at Sheffield United before setting up two goals against Brentford.

Click here to vote for your Player of the Month!
Premier League Manager of the Month shortlist - March 2024
Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola has turned things around Bournemouth / Charlie Crowhurst/GettyImages
Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth)
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)
Ange Postecoglou (Tottenham Hotspur)
The south coast double is completed by Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, who has overseen a real reversal of fortunes in 2024. The Spaniard's side picked up ten points from a possible 12 in March, including wins over Burnley, Everton and Luton - the latter the most impressive after trailing 3-0 at half-time.

Arsenal's title charge continued with seven points from three matches - Mikel Arteta's charges put six past Sheffield United on their own patch before sneaking past Brentford at home five days later. The international break restricted the Gunners to just one more league game in March - an impressive 0-0 draw against Man City at the Etihad.

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool scored just four goals in their three matches but crucially kept pace with Arsenal, picking up seven points from nine, while Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham earned three wins from their four games in March. The only blip on the Greek-Australian's copybook was a desperately disappointing 3-0 defeat at Fulham.

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