Topic: LFC's next manager - chat and informed speculation

[killer-heels]

I admire your optimism but I don't think we will. There's the things Klopp brings which is getting us draws from loses and wins from draws which allows us to keep up with a doped up bohemouth, and our next manager be it Amorim or De Zerbi is going to have to learn that.

If we don't challenge for the title would you be considering that as bad from the new manager? Let's say it that way

I dont think there will that much criticism if a manager continues to get us top four. Think if we are three seasons in and we havent won a couple of trophies in that situation maybe it turns. But the club isnt firing a manager if he gets top four for the first three seasons.

[Barefoot Doctor]

On Amorim, it's also appealing that he won the domestic cup with Braga. He was only in charge there from December 2019 to March 2020, before Sporting paid 10m euros to take him as their new manager. That is quite a fee to pay for someone who'd managed at a senior level for just four months... suggests to me that the perception of him was sky high.

Since then, he's won the league with Sporting and the domestic cup twice. That's good going for a side that are very much third to Porto and Benfica, and he has the chance to win a second title this season (looks to be between them and Benfica, with Sporting a point ahead with a game in hand).

He seems sounds, speaks fluent English, has developed players there quite well, shown he can get a side to overperform. No idea if he'd succeed here but feels like that would be the case for anyone we appoint. Need to realise that there's a not small chance that we'll be back in the managerial market in 12 months, regardless of who we appoint.

[Bennett]

I dont think there will that much criticism if a manager continues to get us top four. Think if we are three seasons in and we havent won a couple of trophies in that situation maybe it turns. But the club isnt firing a manager if he gets top four for the first three seasons.

Think you're massively underestimating the expectation shift.

[killer-heels]

Think you're massively underestimating the expectation shift.

In the fans maybe, but not in the club and certainly not with FSG. They are not sacking a manager that gets us top four in a league like this.

[killer-heels]

On Amorim, it's also appealing that he won the domestic cup with Braga. He was only in charge there from December 2019 to March 2020, before Sporting paid 10m euros to take him as their new manager. That is quite a fee to pay for someone who'd managed at a senior level for just four months... suggests to me that the perception of him was sky high.

Since then, he's won the league with Sporting and the domestic cup twice. That's good going for a side that are very much third to Porto and Benfica, and he has the chance to win a second title this season (looks to be between them and Benfica, with Sporting a point ahead with a game in hand).

He seems sounds, speaks fluent English, has developed players there quite well, shown he can get a side to overperform. No idea if he'd succeed here but feels like that would be the case for anyone we appoint. Need to realise that there's a not small chance that we'll be back in the managerial market in 12 months, regardless of who we appoint.

Also Sporting being in that city i believe is a big advantage, he is part of the expectation and the passion that it drives.

Think that last sentence is key, i wouldnt be surprised if the next manager gets given a 3-year deal as well. Think the club will have an acceptation of some sort of continuation in performance (i.e. top four) but i think fans need to be prepared for the possibility that we are looking for a manager again in within 24 months.

[DelTrotter]

On Amorim, it's also appealing that he won the domestic cup with Braga. He was only in charge there from December 2019 to March 2020, before Sporting paid 10m euros to take him as their new manager. That is quite a fee to pay for someone who'd managed at a senior level for just four months... suggests to me that the perception of him was sky high.

Since then, he's won the league with Sporting and the domestic cup twice. That's good going for a side that are very much third to Porto and Benfica, and he has the chance to win a second title this season (looks to be between them and Benfica, with Sporting a point ahead with a game in hand).

He seems sounds, speaks fluent English, has developed players there quite well, shown he can get a side to overperform. No idea if he'd succeed here but feels like that would be the case for anyone we appoint. Need to realise that there's a not small chance that we'll be back in the managerial market in 12 months, regardless of who we appoint.

The little spell at Braga was madness, they couldn't beat any of the big 3 before him then he did them all 5 times in 4 weeks, that's absolutely insane.

[Snail]

Oh well, football was fun while it lasted.

[Stockholm Syndrome]

I dont think there will that much criticism if a manager continues to get us top four. Think if we are three seasons in and we havent won a couple of trophies in that situation maybe it turns. But the club isnt firing a manager if he gets top four for the first three seasons.

I agree, I think top 4 for the next 3 or so years with the new manager is ok, and see where they are after that for us to kick on.

But Jack thinks we could challenge next year still, so I am interested if that's going to reflect if they don't and instead just get top 4 and no trophies

[1918]

Think you're massively underestimating the expectation shift.

Agreed. Often hear from various quarters that Klopp “should have won more” when winning more meant beating Madrid and City. And that was Klopp not a new manager.

[Stockholm Syndrome]

Given the names that are currently being mentioned, I don't think we go after them but what about someone like Roger Schmidt or Marco Rose

[Wabaloolah]

Call me crazy but I would be up for Stevie over all these other names being mentioned now

WTF has he done to warrant even being mentioned as a potential Liverpool manager

[Dim Glas]

Agreed. Often hear from various quarters that Klopp “should have won more” when winning more meant beating Madrid and City. And that was Klopp not a new manager.

yes, from trolls on Twitter doing the Klopp/Liverpool Bad thing for attention (and paid engagement these days for the blue ticks).

I agree by the way expectations will be high due to the strong state of the club off the pitch, and the squad the new manager will inherit. But those you mentioned above are doing that with other motives (jealousy being a big part of it to).  Anyone who actually matters or who understands the league and the sport knows he’s done an incredible job in the face of competing the whole time with cheats with no financial restrictions.

[killer-heels]

I agree, I think top 4 for the next 3 or so years with the new manager is ok, and see where they are after that for us to kick on.

But Jack thinks we could challenge next year still, so I am interested if that's going to reflect if they don't and instead just get top 4 and no trophies

At this stage its difficult to ask someone now if we dont challenge whether thats good enough. It is if the likes of Van Dijk and Salah were in their mid to late 20’s. Right now with their ages, with the contract situation of several players, what happens with all that this summer will have a big indicator. Who do we lose, who do we bring in and even what happens in the next 6 weeks all plays an important role.

[Mister Flip Flop]

The Alonso news is devastatingly bad no doubt about it. For me it's obvious he's probably an agreement in place with Madrid with Carlo leaving next season and it probably makes more sense for him to go there as he may never get that opportunity again so i don't blame him. That said would be hilarious if he had a wicked time there and was sacked after 6 months and ended up managing mid table dross like West Ham or Newcastle 

As for the other choices im not going to pretend i know a lot about Amorim or De Zerbi but i just hope the club don't do something stupid like bring in a Mourinho, Gerrard or Southgate 

[jason42]

I wonder if Xabi wants to be the Liverpool manager but not the manager who has the pretty unenviable task of following Jurgen?

We all know what happened when Kenny left and we got it wrong for so long afterwards and we cannot allow that to happen again.

Whoever replaces Jurgen will have one hell of a job so maybe Xabi is thinking it is better to replace the man who replaced Jurgen, rather than the man who replaced Jurgen?

[Wabaloolah]

Shame about Xabi, think he's making a mistake, his stock will never be higher than this season. I reckon he's been told he'll be offered the Madrid job once Ancillotti gets sacked/retires so he's keeping his powder dry for that

[Mister Flip Flop]

Call me crazy but I would be up for Stevie over all these other names being mentioned now

Fair enough, you are crazy.

[spider-neil]

Shame about Xabi, think he's making a mistake, his stick will never be higher than this season. I reckon he's been told he'll be offered the Madrid job once Ancillotti gets sacked/retires so he's keeping his powder dry for that

fnar fnar

[Wabaloolah]

I wonder if Xabi wants to be the Liverpool manager but not the manager who has the pretty unenviable task of following Jurgen?

We all know what happened when Kenny left and we got it wrong for so long afterwards and we cannot allow that to happen again.

Whoever replaces Jurgen will have one hell of a job so maybe Xabi is thinking it is better to replace the man who replaced Jurgen, rather than the man who replaced Jurgen?

the club is in a much stronger place now than it was then, more akin to 1974 when Shanks retired rather than Kenny going due to the pressures of Hillsborough.

[killer-heels]

I wonder if Xabi wants to be the Liverpool manager but not the manager who has the pretty unenviable task of following Jurgen?

We all know what happened when Kenny left and we got it wrong for so long afterwards and we cannot allow that to happen again.

Whoever replaces Jurgen will have one hell of a job so maybe Xabi is thinking it is better to replace the man who replaced Jurgen, rather than the man who replaced Jurgen?

Possibly but then it will show he doesnt have confidence in himself and in that scenario some legends of the club have probably left, so its working from the ground up again.

[Dim Glas]

The Alonso news is devastatingly bad no doubt about it. For me it's obvious he's probably an agreement in place with Madrid with Carlo leaving next season and it probably makes more sense for him to go there as he may never get that opportunity again so i don't blame him. That said would be hilarious if he had a wicked time there and was sacked after 6 months and ended up managing mid table dross like West Ham or Newcastle 

As for the other choices im not going to pretend i know a lot about Amorim or De Zerbi but i just hope the club don't do something stupid like bring in a Mourinho, Gerrard or Southgate 

oh come on 

Not sure why the Alonso thing is devastatingly bad either. Imagine the drama if he was here, anytime Madrid wanted a new coach, he’d not be here long regardless, he’s always going back to Spain, so may as well skip a step!

[Wabaloolah]

fnar fnar

DOH, stock!

[Hazell]

Xabi Alonso: “I had a good meeting with Bayer Leverkusen and I informed them that I will STAY and continue at the club”.

“After lot of talks about my future, I used the break to reflect and make my decision”.

“This is the place to be for me”

Good. Didn't want him anyway. Next.

[AndyMuller]

I don’t understand the decision personally but it is what it is.

[eyescream]

The Alonso news is devastatingly bad no doubt about it. For me it's obvious he's probably an agreement in place with Madrid with Carlo leaving next season and it probably makes more sense for him to go there as he may never get that opportunity again so i don't blame him. That said would be hilarious if he had a wicked time there and was sacked after 6 months and ended up managing mid table dross like West Ham or Newcastle 

As for the other choices im not going to pretend i know a lot about Amorim or De Zerbi but i just hope the club don't do something stupid like bring in a Mourinho, Gerrard or Southgate 

Pep The Bald is leaving ADFC next summer too. Hope we don't see Alonso there.

[ScubaSteve]

I don’t understand the decision personally but it is what it is.

I agree. You’ve got to be mad to turn us down over a project that could fall on its face next season

He won’t get another chance

[JackWard33]

I agree, I think top 4 for the next 3 or so years with the new manager is ok, and see where they are after that for us to kick on.

But Jack thinks we could challenge next year still, so I am interested if that's going to reflect if they don't and instead just get top 4 and no trophies

I’m sure ownership will be more than fine with solid top 4 and the fan base too so slightly different to the question of yours I was answering which was just my opinion of where we’ll be

My view is there’s no real reason why we won’t challenge for the title unless there’s a mass exodus of players … our talent level is as high as anyone in the league and many of them will be better next year than this purely due to being closer to their peak age etc
We’ll also add in the summer
We can debate how much of our level is klopp vs generic good coach but on the other side of the ledger it’s hard to imagine an injury crisis as bad as this year 

City are on the downside of their ridiculous peak and need some surgery, Arsenal will be good again but after that it’s really hard to see anyone closing the gap
We’re a +1 xg / 90 team with way more than average injuries and a lot of young players many in their first season in this league … hard to imagine we won’t be as strong next year and that’s a title challenging level
In general people are being way too pessimistic about where we’re at and how much we’ll lose with a non klopp manager

[Wool]

I wonder if Xabi wants to be the Liverpool manager but not the manager who has the pretty unenviable task of following Jurgen?

We all know what happened when Kenny left and we got it wrong for so long afterwards and we cannot allow that to happen again.

Whoever replaces Jurgen will have one hell of a job so maybe Xabi is thinking it is better to replace the man who replaced Jurgen, rather than the man who replaced Jurgen?

Or despite the PR otherwise he’s always seen Madrid as a better destination than us. Second time he’s opted for them over us and there’s no Barry boogeyman to blame this time.

[Mister Flip Flop]

I wonder if Xabi wants to be the Liverpool manager but not the manager who has the pretty unenviable task of following Jurgen?

We all know what happened when Kenny left and we got it wrong for so long afterwards and we cannot allow that to happen again.

Whoever replaces Jurgen will have one hell of a job so maybe Xabi is thinking it is better to replace the man who replaced Jurgen, rather than the man who replaced Jurgen?

Klopp is leaving the club and playing staff in pristine condition for the next manager. There would never be a better time to walk into the job than this Summer. Anyway i wouldn't want anyone leading the club who is worried about following the previous manager he should have the belief to be better than the last manager and lead us on to better things.

[Wabaloolah]

I’d be excited by Naggelsman, De Zerbi or Amorim - they’re all progressive young coaches that produce attacking football… happy with whichever the club picks to be honest

yep, just got to trust Michael Edwards to get the choice right

[Butcher Knife Roberto]

On Amorim, it's also appealing that he won the domestic cup with Braga. He was only in charge there from December 2019 to March 2020, before Sporting paid 10m euros to take him as their new manager. That is quite a fee to pay for someone who'd managed at a senior level for just four months... suggests to me that the perception of him was sky high.

Since then, he's won the league with Sporting and the domestic cup twice. That's good going for a side that are very much third to Porto and Benfica, and he has the chance to win a second title this season (looks to be between them and Benfica, with Sporting a point ahead with a game in hand).

He seems sounds, speaks fluent English, has developed players there quite well, shown he can get a side to overperform. No idea if he'd succeed here but feels like that would be the case for anyone we appoint. Need to realise that there's a not small chance that we'll be back in the managerial market in 12 months, regardless of who we appoint.

I think this is what sets him apart from other candidates, he's a winner. Sure, de Zerbi's teams play attractive football, but his managerial win % is 41.41 plus the only trophy of note that he's won is the Ukranian Super Cup. Amorim's managerial career win % is 70.51, with it being 69.9% at Sporting over a 4 year period and 430 goals scored in 206 games he's managed for them (178 conceded). His stats are off the scale compared to the other names being mentioned, and we all know that FSG love their stats.

[Disintegration]

Or despite the PR otherwise he’s always seen Madrid as a better destination than us. Second time he’s opted for them over us and there’s no Barry boogeyman to blame this time.

I suspect that is the case - I can envisage him going to Madrid and, if it goes well, on to Man City after a few seasons. Once a manager gets a chance at a ‘cheat code’ club, they rarely go back to anything less than a sure thing until they flop somewhere and are forced to.

[istvan kozma]

I don’t understand the decision personally but it is what it is.

Maybe he doesn't want to manage LFC, pretty ridiculous how people thought this was inevitable, similar to Gerrard a couple of years ago.

[Schmidt]

With City still around the only real expectation I would have from a new manager is regular CL football until something changes, if it ever does.

Can't help but think that was Xabi's one chance to join us, I don't see an explanation for why he'd wait for them over us that ends with the people running our club thinking he'll be the right man for us in the future.

[HeartAndSoul]

Or despite the PR otherwise he’s always seen Madrid as a better destination than us. Second time he’s opted for them over us and there’s no Barry boogeyman to blame this time.

Pretty much this. He’s clearly got an agreement with Madrid to take over in the summer of 2025. No doubt there will be some PR bullshit when he inevitably gets the sack from Madrid at some point and comes out with Liverpool job being his dream job or something.

[BCCC]

"And ill be off next year to Madrid so there's that as well"

How so? If he has a blip Madrid will look elsewhere as quick as breathe

[Draex]

The Alonso news is devastatingly bad no doubt about it. For me it's obvious he's probably an agreement in place with Madrid with Carlo leaving next season and it probably makes more sense for him to go there as he may never get that opportunity again so i don't blame him. That said would be hilarious if he had a wicked time there and was sacked after 6 months and ended up managing mid table dross like West Ham or Newcastle 

As for the other choices im not going to pretend i know a lot about Amorim or De Zerbi but i just hope the club don't do something stupid like bring in a Mourinho, Gerrard or Southgate 

It's really not, eat another easter egg.

[AndyMuller]

Maybe he doesn't want to manage LFC, pretty ridiculous how people thought this was inevitable, similar to Gerrard a couple of years ago.

I never thought it was inevitable like.

Fuck him, we will end his unbeaten run in the Europa final!

[smicer07]

I think some people think Alonso loves Liverpool. But we were only ever a stepping stone for him. He doesn't support us or have the same relationship with the club that we do. So I'm not really surprised that he's chosen to stay (then doubtless end up at Madrid)

[Qston]

I agree. You’ve got to be mad to turn us down over a project that could fall on its face next season

He won’t get another chance

He might. You just never know.

So, Amorim then or possibly De Zerbi