As the end of Jurgen Klopp's tenure as Liverpool manager edges closer, the process to find his successor heats up. A host of names continue to be linked with filling the German's big boots for the 2024/25 season, with Feyenoord manager Arne Slot reportedly now in pole position.
When the club announced that Klopp would be departing after almost eight seasons, focus switched to finding a long-term sporting director. With Michael Edwards returning to the club as CEO of Football, he quickly appointed Bournemouth's Richard Hughes as sporting director.
The pair are tasked with an almost impossible job. To find a replacement for a beloved manager and with few obvious candidates for the job since Xabi Alonso ruled himself out, the task became even more difficult.
Sporting Lisbon's Ruben Amorim then became the front-runner, but after reports of his demands and meeting with West Ham earlier this week, talk of his arrival on Merseyside has since cooled.
With the lack of potential managers currently available, Liverpool fans will be left dreading the thought of another 'Roy Hodgson' type figure coming into the club.
Gary O'Neil interviewed over vacant managerial post
Over the past 24 hours, there has been a flurry of reports and new links to the soon to be vacant Liverpool managerial post.
While the talk around Ruben Amorim has cooled, journalist Pedro Supelveda explained that his demands did not match Liverpool's offer.
According to Pedro Supelveda, Amorim's representatives wanted a €10 million net salary and a three-year deal for the current Sporting Lisbon boss, but after meeting West Ham yesterday, a potential deal for the Portuguese manager to come to London looks off.
❗️Exclusive. Rúben Amorim's side asked @LFC a three years contract with a salary of £10 million net per year plus a signing fee. Liverpool offered less than that. 🏴
❌ Amorim won't change @SportingCP for @WestHam . pic.twitter.com/hYrYeN3v0H
— Pedro Sepúlveda (@pedromsepulveda) April 23, 2024
Jamie Carragher interpreted the developments with Amorim as a sign that Liverpool will move for Roberto de Zerbi of Brighton.
Richard Hughes wanted De Zerbi at Bournemouth, so he must be the favourite if this is true.
Ornstein doesn’t get much wrong tbf! https://t.co/xqA9GEaN5w— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) April 22, 2024
Liverpool insider Dave O'Connell revealed on Tuesday that Wolves boss Gary O'Neil has been in talks with Liverpool over becoming the next manager and he was interviewed last week.
There's no doubt that O'Neil has made a name for himself in the game since saving Bournemouth from relegation last year and improving Wolves this campaign, but is this really the sort of replacement that Liverpool fans want?
The links between O'Neil and the Reds go back quite some time. After the former Portsmouth midfielder retired, he worked with underage players in Liverpool's set up and became the U23 assistant manager in 2020.
With many of those players now in the Liverpool first-team squad and having worked alongside Michael Edwards before, it's clear that the links are there.
Liverpool's new sporting director Richard Hughes appointed O'Neil as Bournemouth manager last year after Scott Parker's sacking, although he did part ways with the Englishman ahead of the 2023/24 campaign with Andoni Iraola taking over.
However, despite the links to the Wolves boss, James Pearce of the Athletic tweeted on Tuesday that O'Neil was not being considered for the Liverpool job, which effectively ended the rumour.
Now, a number of Liverpool insiders have tweeted about the new frontrunner. Feyenoord's Arne Slot.
The Dutch manager led the club to an Eredivisie title last season and the final of the Europa Conference League in 2022.
🔴 Arne Slot is a serious candidate to become Liverpool’s new manager.
🔴 A coach with huge promise and committed to playing attacking football, his work with Feyenoord has been exemplary.
🔴 Nothing decide as yet: other clubs interested in him
✍🏻 @MailSport— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) April 23, 2024
Feyenoord coach Arne Slot interesting Liverpool. https://t.co/sO9tclx71q
— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) April 23, 2024
Arne Slot emerges as leading contender to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool
✍️ @_ChrisBascombe#TelegraphFootball I #LFC
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) April 23, 2024
Feyenoord boss Arne Slot fits all the criteria set during #LFC's extensive search for a new manager with his attacking brand of football and track record of developing young talent.
He's a strong candidate - but not a done deal at this stage. https://t.co/aVDvpprbOh— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) April 23, 2024
Liverpool fans will be savouring Jurgen Klopp's final five games in charge of the club over the next month, and with the candidates that the club are currently linked with, perhaps Liverpool fans are realising that some potential difficult days could lie ahead.
SEE MORE: John Aldridge Says Jurgen Klopp Must Accept Some Blame For Recent Liverpool Dip
