The search to appoint Liverpool’s next manager rumbles on, as Jurgen Klopp moves one game closer to the exit door.
Yesterday was a big day for the Reds. A first win over Brighton since 2022 moved them to the top of the Premier League with nine games left to play.
It’s set to be an exciting finale to the season as the curtain comes down on Klopp’s terrific nine-year stay at Anfield. While things heat up on the pitch though, the scramble to find the right successor to the German continues off it.
Ruben Amorim could well be the new favourite, although plenty of other managers have been mentioned besides. With six weeks or so of the season remaining, who will follow Klopp is still a mystery. As a result, it’s a bit of a free for all. All sorts of names are being thrown around.
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Troy Deeney calls for surprise appointment
So far, most of the names being mentioned in connection with the Liverpool job have been somewhat predictable. However, there are a couple of curveballs in there, too.
One of those has today been thrown by former Watford striker Troy Deeney. Speaking on TalkSPORT, Deeney – who was recently fired by Forest Green Rovers after just six games in charge – put forward his suggestion to Liverpool.
“You’re inheriting people who are used to winning, they’re all internationals,” explained the 35-year-old.
“It’s a good one but also it can be a real big shoe to fill, so you’ve got to be a certain type of character.
“I’m going to throw a name at you, I think they need a coach next year more than a manager, so I’m going to say Gary O’Neil.”
Could Liverpool hire Gary O’Neil
It’s easy to scoff at Deeney’s suggestion that Liverpool should hire Gary O’Neil. But in reality, it isn’t the most outlandish take in the world.
With Xabi Alonso deciding to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, there isn’t really a genuinely outstanding candidate to take over from Klopp. Although that is a worry, it also means that the pool of potential appointments is much larger. That can be exciting.
In terms of O’Neil, he already has a very good track record in the Premier League. The 40-year-old kept Bournemouth in the division against the odds and currently has cash-strapped Wolves in the top half.
What some may not know is that O’Neil already has an idea of how things work at Liverpool, too. The former Portsmouth midfielder spent around 18 months as assistant manager of the Reds’ U21 team several years ago.
So, as a young manager with a burgeoning reputation and a knowledge of the club, don’t completely rule O’Neil out.