In recent years, has there been a more sudden shock to international soccer? Jurgen Klopp announced on Friday morning he would be stepping down at the end of the season. After taking over in October 2015, Klopp will depart Liverpool a hero at the end of the season and leave a massive-sized hole in coaching and personality.
Klopp said he would take a year-long sabbatical and then go from there. Speculating about what his future will be is hard, so much can happen in 18 months. However, there is plenty of speculation on who will take the reins from Klopp, here are a few candidates that should get consideration.
Off the Reservation Choice
Fernando Diniz is currently the manager of the Brazilian side Fluminese. He recently lifted the Copa Libertadores, South America’s version of the Champions League. He had a brief stint with the Brazilian national team as a caretaker manager, however, his ideas need time to set in, time the Brazilian FA didn’t have.
Dinizismo
Diniz’s approach is one without structure or shape in possession. His players still have roles but have the freedom to move within relation to each other versus the modern approach of positional play.
If you watch his team play, you’ll notice they cluster together and do a lot of give-and-go’s. His team appears as if they’ve been playing together for years. The goals his teams score are beautiful. Diniz’s system capitalizes on the players’ spontaneity in possession. The defense never knows how and where a player off-ball will move.
Diniz deserves a full-length article of his own. His rejection of modernity in soccer tactics is admirable. I hope he makes his way across the Atlantic to Europe soon (his current contract expires in December). If he does join a European club, the players will have to re-think everything they’ve been taught about soccer. It’s unlikely Liverpool would be the club to take a chance on him, as time is what he will need. Despite this, fans of his next club will fall in love with the style of play he brings.
Probably Too Soon
Will Still is the bright young manager of French club Stade Reims. Still, he is only 31 years old. It would most likely be hard for him to walk into that Liverpool locker room and command the respect of veterans of the team like Mo Salah and Virgil Van Dijk. This doesn’t mean that Liverpool shouldn’t consider him.
Still’s team punches above their weight. Currently, Reims sits sixth despite having the 12th largest budget in France. Still’s ability to get his team to play more than the sum of their part is his best quality. His players respond to him.
Hiring Still would be a shock, but the top European clubs will look to hire him in the next five years. Why not get a jump on that process?
If the Main Candidates Say No
Ruben Amorim proved himself more than the first two names by delivering Sporting Lisbon their first title in 19 years back in 2021. Amorim already received consideration for the Chelsea head coach position back in April. His release clause is reported to be between 10-20 million euros (depending on what site you believe). Amorim will coach in the Premier League. Liverpool could do a lot worse than him and it would be seen as a win to hire him.
His 3-4-3 formation takes advantage of quick attacking passes, a high press, and all while staying compact at the back. As evident by the 20 goals, his Sporting side conceded in their title-winning season of 2020-2021.
Amorim is also a fantastic cup competition manager. He has won three Taca de Liga, (Portugal’s cup competition) and eliminated Arsenal in the Europa League round of 16 last year.
Main Candidate Number Two
Roberto De Zerbi is changing soccer. His tactical ideas are influencing the way the game is played. Don’t take my word for it, take Pep Guardiola’s. De Zerbi’s Brighton qualified for The Europa League last season, an incredible achievement for a club their size.
De Zerbi’s tactical ideals are: To keep the ball, be the protagonist, and work with passion and a dream. His Brighton team plays the ball out from the back and always abides by the third-man principle. They keep possession and pass the ball to space, rather than having players move toward the ball. It is aesthetically pleasing to watch. The most unique thing about De Zerbi’s coaching is when the team stops. A player will put one foot over the ball and all other 10 outfield players will stop. This draws the opponents in and creates space that wasn’t there prior. His team always dictates the game versus letting someone else dictate them.
De Zerbi won’t be at Brighton for much longer, Liverpool should probably hire him before someone else does.
Main Candidate Number One
Xabi Alonso won everything as a player. He won the Champions League at Liverpool, in an incredible final. Now, as many expected he’s gone into management. His first full-time gig began last season when he started in October 2022, dragging German side Bayer Leverkusen out of the relegation zone and into Europe.
This season, Xabi has taken Leverkusen to new heights. They are unbeaten in the league, and his team is thriving as a collective. Xabi plays a possession-based 3-4-2-1 that utilizes wing-backs. Out of possession, the team presses high up the field in an attempt to win the ball back. Leverkusen aren’t relying on one player either, with five outfield players registering at least five goals.
The tall task of succeeding club legend Jurgen Klopp is Xabi’s if he wants it. Does he want it though? Well, there is a debate about a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for certain big European clubs. He has given no indication he’s unhappy and Leverkusen is an incredible job in terms of how much pressure versus resources they have. Xabi is young for a manager (42) and is going to be quite careful calculating his next move.
Prediction
Liverpool hires Roberto De Zerbi after Xabi snubs them for another season at Leverkusen.
Featured Image: Photo by Micheal Regan/Getty Images
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