Liverpool could target young manager – but they have no one lined up to replace Jurgen Klopp yet

Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool this summer
Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool this summer (Image credit: Getty Images)

Liverpool’s long goodbye to Jurgen Klopp is underway, but as the club bid an emotional farewell to their most successful boss for a generation, they know exactly how important the decision over his successor will be. 

The German will end a nine-year stint at Anfield in the summer, during which time he was won every major trophy with the club, including their first league title for 30 years and Liverpool's sixth European Cup. 

The likes of Xabi Alonso, Roberto De Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann have been mentioned as early candidates for the upcoming vacancy, but the club are not believed to have anyone lined up for the role. 

Julian Nagelsmann has been linked with the Liverpool job

Julian Nagelsmann has been linked with the Liverpool job (Image credit: Getty Images)

Speaking on January 26, transfer journalist Ben Jacobs discussed where Liverpool are with their process and how it should pan out. He told FourFourTwo: “I think first of all Liverpool have got a process and knowing that Klopp was going in November, a succession plan is in place and you'd expect them to be thorough and interview multiple candidates. All indications are that there's nobody pre-lined up.”

Jacobs also believes that the club could go after a younger target, with Nagelsmann only 38-year-old and Alonso also early in his management career at 42. 

“So Mike Gordon, will lead the process, the FSG chief, and naturally be looking for some kind of continuity. And that's why I think that Nagelsmann might not be the right fit for Liverpool, but it wouldn't surprise me if he's under consideration as well. 

Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has also been linked

Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has also been linked (Image credit: Getty Images)

“And then I would expect Liverpool to also maybe have some left-field candidates, some that are a little bit younger, some that are up and coming, some that have group experience because if you sort of look back to their search for Jurgen Klopp, and who else was considered at the time, they weren't afraid to obviously look outside of the Premier League, but also there was no issue going younger.

“And sometimes that's just because why wouldn't you interview five candidates even if some of the names are not the leading ones to get that sort of perspective?”

More Liverpool stories

Liverpool manager shortlist: The three bosses on the list to succeed Jurgen Klopp are named

Liverpool thrashing Chelsea was a statement – as history is repeating itself, according to This Is Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp has revealed a key attacker could miss the trip to Arsenal

Joe Mewis

For more than a decade Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor, with stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others. He is the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team.

Read more
Illustration of Arne Slot by Neil Jamieson, The Sporting Press
‘If Xabi Alonso had wanted the Liverpool job, Arne Slot might still be in Rotterdam' Respected writer and Liverpool fan Tony Evans provides the inside story of the quest to replace Jurgen Klopp and the shocking factor no one expected
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield on September 14, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
'Many of us at Liverpool expected a downfall when Jurgen Klopp left, like with Wenger, Ferguson and others. We didn’t expect to be where we are today - and that's largely thanks to Arne' Alexis Mac Allister explains his initial expectations of Arne Slot
Arne Slot new first team manager of Liverpool Football Club at AXA Training Centre on June 19, 2024 in Kirkby, England.
Liverpool to close deal after 'quick negotiations': report
Gary Lineker, September 2023
Liverpool need to prove Gary Lineker right after brutal comparison to Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United
Liverpool fans show their support with flags and banners prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Ipswich Town FC at Anfield on January 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England
Arne Slot can win more than Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool but one thing needs to happen
Mohamed Salah is still yet to reveal whether he will stay with Liverpool beyond this season
Liverpool report: Mohamed Salah replacement identified as Arne Slot carves out his transfer plan
Latest in Stories
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed