Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi is among the candidates to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool from next season, now that the German tactician has announced that he’ll leave Anfield in the summer.
Klopp revealed on Friday morning that he would leave Liverpool at the end of the current campaign and many see Italian coach De Zerbi as a likely candidate to replace the German tactician on the Reds’ bench.
The other strong candidate for the role is ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, currently in charge of Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen, the only undefeated team in Germany’s top flight this term. According to Sky Sport’s James Lewer, the ex-Spain international is the ‘hot favourite’ for the role.
Nevertheless, De Zerbi remains in the conversation and Liverpool fans are already debating who Klopp’s best replacement would be. De Zerbi has been mentioned over 2,000 times on X, formerly Twitter since the current Reds boss announced he’d leave.
Journalist Chris Bascombe has noted that ‘no opponent has won more praise than De Zerbi from Klopp’ so the Italian is a legitimate candidate for the role.
De Zerbi, a former Sassuolo coach, was appointed by Brighton in September 2022 and has won 32 games from 68 in charge of the Seagulls.
Who should Klopp’s replacement be?
De Zerbi or Xabi Alonso? pic.twitter.com/yZtv3Oqz9S
— The Anfield Buzz (@TheAnfieldBuzz) January 26, 2024
Xabi Alonso vs. Roberto De Zerbi
Who would you prefer to be your NEXT manager? pic.twitter.com/i8eu6WjfSU
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) January 26, 2024
🇪🇸 Xabi Alonso
🇮🇹 Roberto De Zerbi
🇫🇷 Zinedine Zidane
🇵🇹 José Mourinho
🏴 Steven GerrardWho should Liverpool appoint as their next manager? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/D9omlIc65P
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 26, 2024
Hearing Jurgen Klopp is leaving Liverpool but then realising De Zerbi will be linked with the job for the next 5 months pic.twitter.com/9Vs0XYDkIS
— SEAGULLS SOCIAL (@SeagullsSocial) January 26, 2024
Xabi Alonso to Liverpool? Or DeZerbi?
— Thomas Mlambo (@thomasmlambo) January 26, 2024
It appears Xabi Alonso is the hot favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp at this moment.
But… surely given his record in the Premier League, Liverpool should be approaching Roberto De Zerbi?
— James Lewer (@james_lewer) January 26, 2024