The question about who should become Liverpool’s next manager is a debated topic. Xabi Alonso seems to be the favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp this summer. But he isn’t the only candidate.
Given the sentiments around Alonso, it’s easy to understand why he would be the favourite. His affiliation with Liverpool stretches back decades, with Anfield being the place where he first established himself as an elite player.
He has a cult status at Liverpool, and is still very much highly regarded by the club’s supporters. On top of that, he’s got an impressive record this season having guided Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga and 34 games unbeaten in all competitions.
That resume alone makes him an impressive candidate. However, Liverpool will not have tunnel vision. There are other managers who are also under consideration. Including a 39-year-old who could be the perfect manager for Darwin Nunez.
Why Ruben Amorim could be perfect for Darwin Nunez
This season 39-year-old Ruben Amorim has built a really direct attacking side in Sporting CP. With the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres, Amorim who has always valued possession based football, has evolved his ideas to suit a more direct number nine.
As a result, both Sporting CP and Gyokeres have thrived this season. Amorim’s side are currently top of the Portuguese top flight with one point and a game in hand above second placed Benfica. Meanwhile, no player has contributed to as many goals as Viktor Gyokeres in Europe’s top leagues, who has 43 in 35 games for Sporting this season.
Looking at how Gyokeres has thrived under Amorim this season, could be the perfect template for someone like Darwin Nunez at Liverpool. Nunez is very similar in his directness to the Swedish forward, and given how Amorim has allowed Gyokeres to flourish, Liverpool’s number nine may be hoping that the 39-year-old is appointed over Alonso at Anfield this summer – so he can help Nunez reach similar heights at Liverpool.