Next Liverpool manager odds: Who could replace Klopp?

Last week Jurgen Klopp announced that the current season would be his final year in charge of Liverpool – and there is plenty of speculation as to who could succeed him in the Anfield dugout.

The following day Barcelona boss Xavi confirmed he will be exiting Camp Nou in the summer and that leaves two of Europe’s elite clubs hunting new bosses for next season – and potentially competing for the same candidates.

Klopp is among the favourites to succeed Xavi at Barca at 6/1 but the German has stated he intends to take a break and I would expect him to stick to that plan after nine years at Anfield. Klopp left Borussia Dortmund at the conclusion of the 2014/15 season and he ended up at Liverpool in October of 2015 as Brendan Rodgers’ replacement – but he said he didn’t plan to take a sabbatical when announcing his decision to leave BVB so the circumstances were different.

He has also said he won’t join any English rival and it is hard to envisage him in charge of a German team other than Mainz or Dortmund – so perhaps international management could be his next move? If that is the case, the Germany job at the next available opportunity would be an obvious destination but he could be an ideal fit for England given his experience in the Premier League, and Paddy Power and Betfair both have him at 16/1 to be the next Three Lions boss.

Klopp’s future may take some time to resolve but for Liverpool their need for a new boss is a little more urgent. I’ve had a run through the favourites and some of the other contenders in these early stages of their search. I’ve used Skybet for the prices and new customers can take advantage of their sign-up offer using the button below.

Next Liverpool Manager Odds

Xabi Alonso 1/2

Xabi Alonso is the clear favourite to replace Klopp at just 1/2 and it is easy to see why. The Spaniard is a club legend and has done a fantastic job at Bayer Leverkusen, who could lift the Bundesliga title this season, but it perhaps isn’t as straightforward as it seems.

Alonso will have plenty of options in the summer and it is worth remembering he also enjoyed impressive stints as a player with both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, and the latter may be hunting for a new boss themselves. Alonso may also be hesitant to join the Reds at this stage as replacing Klopp will be a tough ask for any manager and with his stock on the rise right now it could be viewed as a move where the risk outweighs the reward.

Ruben Amorim 5/1

Next in the betting is Sporting boss Ruben Amorim and he could be of interest. Amorin has won titles with Sporting, as well as a cup with Braga previously, despite the presence of Benfica and Porto as rivals but a lack of experience outside of Portugal could work against him.

Roberto De Zerbi 8/1

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has earned plenty of praise for his work on the south coast and, barring a dramatic fall from grace, a ‘big’ move looks to be on the cards at some point for the Italian.

De Zerbi’s style certainly fits the Liverpool mould but he hasn’t claimed any major silverware during his managerial career, which could work against him

Pep Ljinders 10/1

Klopp’s current assistant Pep Lijnders is a 10/1 shot and this may be where the value is. The Dutchman knows the club inside out having enjoyed two spells at Anfield and is clearly highly-rated by the current manager.

Ljinders has limited experience as a number one as he had a brief spell in charge of NEC in 2018 before being sacked. That lack of experience is a concern when it comes to backing him as the next Liverpool boss but it doesn’t necessarily rule him out either.

Liverpool have commented on his future, stating “Assistant managers Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz, as well as elite development coach Vitor Matos, will also vacate their positions at the end of the season, with Lijnders keen to pursue his own career in management.”

This is ambiguous, as it could be interpreted that he is leaving the club altogether or just from his current role as assistant. It would be a bold move for Liverpool to promote Klopp’s number two, but if apparent first-choice Alonso isn’t available for any reason it wouldn’t be a surprise either.

Skybet rules state that ‘temporary or caretaker managers in charge for 10 competitive games will be deemed permanent and settled as a winner’, which strengthens the case for Ljinders from a betting angle if it becomes clear Liverpool’s search is not a straightforward one in the weeks/months ahead.

The Other Next Liverpool  Boss Candidates

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann are both rated at 14/1 but both offer very little appeal at that price.

Brentford’s Thomas Frank is 16/1 and again that seems unlikely, but a trio of 20/1 shots are all worth a mention.

Steven Gerrard’s reputation took a huge knock after a poor stint at Aston Villa but his status as a club legend, and his spell in charge of Rangers, has to put him at least in contention.

Current Villa boss Unai Emery is also 20/1 and he has a fantastic CV, despite a tough spell at Arsenal earlier in his career.

Xavi is the final big price option who could be of interest as he prepares for life after Barcelona. The former midfielder will probably be keen to get back into management quickly after a lacklustre stint at Camp Nou, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him throw his hat into the ring as a contender to replace Klopp – and he may be better suited to taking over a complete team as opposed to the work in progress he has had at Barcelona.

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