Liverpool might pursue 52-year-old former Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac to replace Jurgen Klopp this summer.
According to a report by Daily Mail, Niko Kovac is the subject of interest from Liverpool. The Reds have been scouring the market for a manager since Jurgen Klopp announced his impending departure from Anfield. The 52-year-old former Bundesliga-winning manager has thus emerged as a target for the Merseyside club.
Niko Kovac and his journey so far
Niko Kovac enjoyed an exceptional professional career, representing Croatia as the national side’s captain for several years. Meanwhile, he represented well-known clubs like Hertha BSC, Bayer Leverkusen, and Bayern Munich, spending the majority of his playing days at the club level in Germany.
Kovac’s footballing career ended in 2009 after a three-year spell with Red Bull Salzburg. The 52-year-old entered the managerial world in 2012 by taking charge of Croatia’s under-21 side before becoming the head coach of the national side. However, he rose in prominence during his stint with Eintracht Frankfurt.
The former Croatian international guided Eintracht Frankfurt to the DFB Pokal in 2018 before joining Bayern Munich that year. However, Kovac’s spell with Bayern Munich did not last long, even though he won the Bundesliga title with the Bavarian giants. Since leaving Bayern in 2019, he has had short stints with AS Monaco and VfL Wolfsburg.
What Next?
Kovac’s spell with Wolfsburg after the Bundesliga club began 2024 with a ten-match winless run to go tumbling in the Bundesliga standings. However, his stock remains high, with the latest report linking him with Liverpool. The Reds have been scouring the market for a manager for the last three months.
Jurgen Klopp announced in January that he would call time on his spell with Liverpool when the 2023/24 season ends. The announcement came out of nowhere, sending Liverpool searching for his replacement. Several managers, including Thomas Frank, have emerged on their radar. But Niko Kovac is also a viable target for the Merseyside club.
However, a move for the 52-year-old former Bundesliga-winning manager might not see the light of day, with recent reports claiming that Ruben Amorim is closing in on joining Liverpool ahead of the 2024/25 season.
