Liverpool fans are still yet to find out exactly who will be leading their team in the post-Jurgen Klopp era.
The Reds have been linked with a plethora of coaches as they look to navigate one of the biggest decision in the club’s recent history.
In some ways, there is no easy answer for Liverpool. There are reportedly two front-runners at the moment, but neither can truly replace what Klopp has brought to Anfield.
Beyond the names of the likes of Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi though, there are others who could yet be in the frame.
Journalist David Ornstein reported this week that FSG may still be ‘brave’ and make an unexpected appointment. And with that in mind, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has today reported on one that would be a real shock.
Gian Piero Gasperini speaks on Liverpool links
Plenty of Liverpool supporters will likely have been relatively unaware of Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini ahead of last week’s Europa League game.
If they weren’t aware of him seven days ago though, they certainly will be now. Following his side’s 3-0 drubbing of the Reds at Anfield, Gasperini had been linked with taking over from Klopp. He even addressed these rumours yesterday and according to Romano, ‘raised some eyebrows’ in doing so.
“Gian Piero Gasperini will have raised some eyebrows yesterday when he addressed rumours about him being in contention for the Liverpool job,” the journalist said via his Daily Briefing. “He spoke at his press conference ahead of the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final with the Reds, saying: “Of course I am happy with links to Liverpool job to replace Klopp but my focus is on the game.”
However, it doesn’t seem as though ‘Gasp’ is anything like a serious contender for the Liverpool job.
“For sure, Gasperini has done a fantastic job at Atalanta in recent times so I’m not too surprised that, after beating Liverpool in such a convincing way with that 3-0 win at Anfield last week, there is some media speculation about him possibly replacing Klopp, but there’s nothing more to it than that,” Romano adds.
“I can say that there’s nothing at all between Gasperini and Liverpool from what I know. I think these are links just generated by Atalanta’s super game vs Liverpool at Anfield, that’s it. As for other clubs, again there will always be links, but for now I see him staying at Atalanta.”
Liverpool can hire Gasperini heir
Although Gasperini himself doesn’t appear to be under serious consideration by Liverpool, they do have another option if they like what they see from the 66-year-old.
As a former player of his, Thiago Motta has previously referenced Gasperini as being an inspiration to his coaching style [TuttomercatoWeb].
Liverpool have supposedly already discussed the possibility of hiring Motta as Klopp’s successor. So, with the master out of the running, maybe the student could still get an interview.
The 41-year-old Motta will be out of contract at Bologna at the end of the season and has been doing a sterling job. If Gasperini teaches them a lesson again tonight, maybe the Reds will get more serious over bringing in the next best thing.