Liverpool are looking at potential replacements for Jurgen Klopp, and they were heavily linked with Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso.
Xabi Alonso was the top target for Liverpool to replace Jurgen Klopp in the summer. However, the 42-year-old Spanish manager has now decided that he will continue at Bundesliga club Bayern Munich beyond this season, and he has snapped up a potential move to Anfield.
Alonso is widely regarded as one of the best young managers in world football, and his decision will certainly come as a major disappointment for the Premier League giants. It will be interesting to see if they can bring in an adequate replacement for Klopp in the summer. Here at The Hard Tackle, we look at three potential alternatives to the Spanish manager.
Ruben Amorim
The 39-year-old Portuguese manager has done a splendid job at Sporting CP, and his attacking brand of football will be a good fit for Liverpool amid his openness to join the Reds. They have the squad to execute his style of play, and his ability to nurture young players make him a good fit for the club as well.
Amorim has built a talented squad at Sporting CP in a sustainable manner, and he will have to operate in a similar system at Liverpool as well. But the Reds will likely face stiff competition from high-profile clubs like Barcelona, Chelsea, and Manchester United.
The Portuguese manager seems a good fit for Liverpool’s ethos as a club, and he has proven himself to be a tactically astute candidate as well. Sporting CP are certainly punching above their weight under his management, and it remains to be seen whether he can cut it at the highest level in the Premier League. Nevertheless, Amorim is a handy alternative to Xabi Alonso for Liverpool
Simone Inzaghi
The Italian manager has done quite well at Inter Milan this season, and they are currently racing their way to league title. Inter Milan are undoubtedly the best team in Italy right now, and they made it to the final of the UEFA Champions League under his management last season as well.
Simone Inzaghi has proven himself to be a very efficient manager tactically, and Inter Milan have come across as a very well drilled and cohesive unit under him. The only problem for the Italian is the language barrier. Inzaghi is yet to learn English, and that could be a major problem if he is coaching a Premier League club.
It will be interesting to see if Liverpool are willing to take a gamble on him despite the potential communication problem so that could arise. There is no doubt that Inzaghi is tactically good enough to manage in the Premier League, and he knows how to handle the expectations of managing a big club as well.
Liverpool have the profile of players who can fit into his three-defender formation as well. The Italian, and the Liverpool squad could prove to be a good match. But recent reports have claimed that he is committed to Inter Milan.
Roberto De Zerbi
The 44-year-old Brighton & Hove Albion manager has done quite well since moving to the Premier League, and he has kept the Seagulls competitive. Despite losing two of his best midfielders at the start of the season, Brighton have done reasonably well this season.
In addition, the Italian manager has shown his tactical nous and squad building capabilities with limited resources. De Zerbi will have better players and more resources at Liverpool, and he will certainly fancy his chances of pushing for major trophies with the Premier League giants.
The Italian manager is now well settled in English football, and he could be open to the challenge of managing a big club next season. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool decide to make their move for him after losing out on Xabi Alonso. Talks might be on the cards soon.
