4 minutes As the German’s nine years at Anfield draws to a conclusion, here at betting.bet we take a look back at the Klopp era whilst we also run the rule over those in the running to replace one of the club’s most successful and popular ever managers.
Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp has sensationally confirmed his intention to step down at the end of the current season. As the German’s nine years at Anfield draws to a conclusion, here at betting.bet we take a look back at the Klopp era whilst we also run the rule over those in the running to replace one of the club’s most successful and popular ever managers. The latest odds for the next permanent Liverpool manager come from popular bookmakers, William Hill.
The Klopp Dynasty
Former Borussia Dortmund head coach, Jurgen Klopp was brought in to replace Brendan Rodgers in the autumn of 2015. Whilst his reign didn’t produce immediate results, Klopp would go on to win every single trophy available to the Anfield outfit. Winning the 2019/20 Premier League title was arguably his greatest achievement whilst he also guided Liverpool to a sixth European title in 2018/19.
Klopp’s Liverpool Honours
- Premier League (2019/20)
- UEFA Champions League (2018/19)
- FA Cup (2021/22)
- EFL Cup (2021/22)
- Community Shield (2022)
- UEFA Super Cup (2019)
- FIFA Club World Cup (2019)
On announcing his shock decision to leave Liverpool in just a few months times, Klopp explained in a statement on the club’s website,
“I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment, when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it.”
He continued, “I love absolutely everything about this club, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team, I love the staff. I love everything. But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take.
“It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy. I have no problem now, obviously, I knew it already for longer that I will have to announce it at one point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again.
“After the years we had together and after all the time we spent together and after all the things we went through together, the respect grew for you, the love grew for you and the least I owe you is the truth – and that is the truth.”
What Next for Liverpool?
Manchester United and Arsenal have proven just how difficult it is to replace a successful, long-serving manager having struggled in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger eras respectively. So where exactly do Liverpool begin in their search for a replacement for the departing German?
If the bookies’ early odds are to be believed, Liverpool will recruit their next head coach from the Bundesliga once more. Unsurprisingly, former Reds midfielder, Xabi Alonso has been installed as the red-hot favourite.
Alonso has steered Bayer Leverkusen to a record-breaking start to their Bundesliga campaign in that is his first full season as the club. Having joined in October 2022, Alonso has quickly transformed Bayer Leverkusen into a side capable of breaking Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga monopoly. Bayer Leverkusen have opened up a four-point lead at the league’s summit and remain unbeaten in all competitions this season.
Xabi Alonso’s affiliation with Liverpool is a major positive but is style of play is an equally attractive quality. An emphasis on passing and a strong counter-attacking setup, Bayer Leverkusen also boast the league’s best defensive record. A modern 3-4-3 formation could also get the best out of the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Whilst Xabi Alonso is the obvious choice to replace Jurgen Klopp, the race to be named as Liverpool’s next permanent manager is far from a one-horse race. Klopp’s assistant, Pep Lijnders would offer consistency at Anfield whilst former club captain, Steven Gerrard has long been mooted as a future Liverpool manager.
There aren’t many stand-out managers currently out of work that Liverpool would consider. But that small list of readily-available managers does include former Chelsea bosses Antonio Conte and Graham Potter. One former Chelsea boss we can write off with some confidence due to his links to Manchester United is Jose Mourinho.
Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann are amongst the continent’s most highly-respected managers but are currently employed at Paris Saint-Germain and the German national team respectively.
If Liverpool were to look a little closer to home, there are several managers currently working in the Premier League that could be tempted to make the move to Anfield. Brighton boss, Roberto De Zerbi would find it difficult to turn down Liverpool if they were to make an approach whilst it could be a similar story for Brentford’s Thomas Frank.
| Next Liverpool Manager Odds | |
|---|---|
| Xabi Alonso | 5/4 |
| Pep Lijnders | 4/1 |
| Steven Gerrard | 6/1 |
| Julian Nagelsmann | 7/1 |
| Roberto De Zerbi | 8/1 |
| Luis Enrique | 12/1 |
| Graham Potter | 14/1 |
| Antonio Conte, Ange Postecoglu, Thomas Frank | 16/1 |
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