Next Liverpool manager: The candidates passed over before Slot appointment

The list of candidates considered by Liverpool before Arne Slot was offered the head coach’s job has been REVEALED. 

Jurgen Klopp brought the curtain down on his nine-year tenure in charge of the Reds at an emotionally-charged Anfield on Sunday, where the home side defeated Wolves in the final Premier League game of the season. 

Less than 24 hours later, the name of Slot was confirmed as Klopp’s successor, with talks having concluded with his former club Feyenoord earlier this month. 

Slot, according to various sources, was always the overwhelming favourite to land the Liverpool job, especially after it became apparent there was no chance of luring Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen. 

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However, there were plenty of names in the frame as Richard Hughes - the incoming Liverpool sporting director - did he due diligence on replacements for Klopp. 

The Athletic reports that Ruben Amorim, the Sporting CP coach, WAS a consideration for the job but that progress was not as advanced as Portuguese media reports would have you believe.

The 39-year-old flew to London for ill-advised negotiations with West Ham before confirming he would be staying in Lisbon after all. 

Question marks over his tactical suitability - and his insistence on three at the back - put paid to his chances. 

De Zerbi and Nagelsmann not suitable

Also scrutinised by Liverpool’s top brass was Roberto De Zerbi - once of Brighton but a free agent as of last weekend - but again, doubts about the speed of his team in possession meant the Reds were inclined to look elsewhere 

Julian Nagelsmann, the Germany manager, was also a name on Liverpool’s list but there were also suspicions that his tactical blueprint wouldn’t fit on Merseyside. He ended up signing a new contract with the DFB. 

Hughes also wrote down the name of Andoni Iraola, the man who he helped appoint to the Bournemouth job while working on the south coast as Technical Director, but who has since signed a new contract with the Cherries. 

The report also names Eddie Howe, the Newcastle manager who is also well known to Hughes owing to their time together at Dean Court, as a nominee for Klopp’s recently vacated position.

Hoeness had admirers inside Anfield

Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness, meanwhile, is reported to have scored highly on the suitability tests and has led his side to an impressive second-place finish in the Bundesliga. He had ‘many admirers’ according to James Pearce of the Athletic. 

Michel, who has just qualified Girona for the Champions League, was also well liked at Anfield. 

Simone Inzaghi, the Inter Milan coach who has won the Serie A title and led his team to the Champions League final last year, was ruled out due to a lack of English. 

Pearce also repeats our story, that Lille’s Paulo Fonseca was also considered. 

Surprise candidates Valverde and Spalletti

Thomas Tuchel may have followed Klopp twice in his career thus far - at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund - but he was NEVER in the running for the Liverpool gig. 

There are a couple of surprise names on the list of contenders however with Ernesto Valverde regarded as having a strong chance. He has just won the first title in 40 years for Athletic Club with the recent success in the Copa del Rey. 

And finally, the Italy manager Luciano Spalletti was of ‘significant interest’ as a potential Klopp successor having won the Serie A title with Napoli in 2023. 

Given Valverde is 60 and Spalletti 65, age was apparently just a number in the shakeup for the new Liverpool manager.