Liverpool are pushing to secure the appointment of Jurgen Klopp’s successor before the end of the season.
After almost nine years with Klopp at the helm, it’s going to be a big adjustment for Liverpool fans. It’s imperative that the decision-makers get their choice absolutely spot-on.
Obviously, that’s easier said than done. There isn’t exactly a raft of managers out there who can replace Jurgen. The 56-year-old has been a truly iconic leader of at Anfield. However, Richard Hughes and co do have a number of suitable candidates to assess.
In terms of getting someone as close to Klopp as possible, it’s been claimed that Ange Postecoglou should be the man Hughes calls. However, the Australian coach is reportedly incredibly unlikely to jump ship after just one year at Tottenham Hotspur. He isn’t in the running.
So, Liverpool are going to have to do something else. And despite Postecoglou’s reluctance to join, it seems that the Reds might just get their Jurgen-lite after all.
Liverpool told of ‘very similar’ Jurgen Klopp replacement
Klopp truly is a one of a kind as a manager. It’s so rare that you get that perfect blend of tactical acumen, impeccable leadership skills and winning mentality. Jurgen really can do it all.
As Virgil van Dijk pointed out last week, it takes something ‘special’ in order to successfully manager Liverpool. It’s a club like no other. With Klopp at the helm, that has never been clearer. However, it does make replacing him all the more difficult.
Nevertheless, former Liverpool defender Abel Xavier has claimed that the Reds could be about to get the next best thing. It has been reported over the weekend that Ruben Amorim is now in talks with Liverpool and is said to be ‘determined’ to take the job.
And speaking to BBC Sport about the Sporting manager on Monday, Xavier says that the 39-year-old is actually ‘very similar’ to Klopp.
“Yes, I believe so,” said the former Portugal international, when asked if Amorim had the ‘personality’ to succeed Klopp. “Liverpool’s philosophy was never signing the best players in the world. They can afford it, but if you saw under Klopp, they want to have the best collective team in the world. I think Ruben’s approach is very similar.
“I played at Liverpool, and I know the exact mentality and identity. With a lot of respect to Sporting Lisbon, I would like to see Ruben Amorim at Liverpool, and I think he will be a major signing considering the importance of finding the correct person after Klopp.”
How close is Ruben Amorim to joining Liverpool
With just over five weeks of the season remaining, Liverpool now have to get a bit of a shift on in terms of finding the new manager. Thankfully, it looks like things are moving in that direction.
Part of the trouble with former favourite for the job Xabi Alonso was that he was involved in a potentially historic season with Bayer Leverkusen. The Spaniard didn’t want to distract from that.
Amorim is involved in a similar scenario with Sporting; top of the table and into the cup final. He too has plenty on his plate.
Despite that, Sporting’s win over Benfica on Saturday made them almost certain to lift a second title in four years. Consequently, it’s been claimed that talks could now accelerate between Amorim and Liverpool. This shouldn’t be taken as read yet, but it’s certainly looking promising.