By Rich Jones
Liverpool are looking at options to replace Jurgen Klopp, when his Anfield reign ends this summer.
Since Klopp announced his surprise departure in January, there's been a focus on making sure he leaves on a high note, with the Reds pushing for thePremier League title, still in both the FA Cup and Europa League, and having already landed the Carabao Cup.
But inside the club, there is also a focus on what comes next and who can take on the weighty challenge of replacing the charismatic German.
Several names have been suggested as possible replacements, including ex-Reds player Xabi Alonso \- understood to be the No.1 target, but also wanted by Bayern Munich - and Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim, highly thought of by a number of Europe's biggest clubs.
Other potential candidates include Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi - despite the Seagulls recent struggles - and Germany's Julian Nagelsmann, who leads his country into Euro 2024, but will depart when the tournament finishes.
Of all those in the frame, Alonso and Amorim are two of the more interesting options that are being considered. However, if Liverpool decide on either, they would need to pay a big fee to meet their release clauses.
The current record fee for a manager moving from one club to another is held by Nagelsmann, after his move from RB Leipzig to Bayern Munich for just shy of £22million in 2021. Liverpool could end up paying close to that amount if they want either Amorim or Alonso to take over from Klopp. But how much would each manager cost?
In terms of the in-demand Alonso - who has led Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the table, 10 points clear of Bayern Munich and closing on the club's first-ever Bundesliga title - it's a hefty figure.
The Spaniard inked a new contract in August, following a fine debut campaign at the BayArena, which lasts until 2026. That deal features a release clause worth a whopping £21million - which explains why Bayer chief Simon Rolfes is pretty relaxed about the situation heading towards the summer.
“I remain calm and optimistic," the club's sporting director told Saarbruecker Zeitung. “The most important thing with managers is that they feel comfortable and have the feeling that they are in the right place.
“Xabi knows what he has at the club. He has often said that. That’s how he works with his team and his coaching team every day. There are many conjunctures in the world. Not all of them have to materialise.”
In Portugal, Amorim has made himself one of the most sought-after managers in Europe after his stellar work in Lisbon - who paid Portuguese rivals Braga £8.55million in March 2020 to take him to the Jose Alvalade Stadium after just TWO MONTHS in a senior management role.
His deal with Sporting also contains a release clause, but one that reduces the further into his contract he gets. Two years ago, it stood at £26million. By the end of the season, interested parties will be looking at paying £13.2million to take him.
Both Sporting and Bayer have been clever to protect their young managers. But neither's release clause puts them out of Liverpool's reach as they seek to replace Klopp.
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