Next Liverpool manager: Fernando Torres wins U19 title with Atletico Madrid

A clutch of former Liverpool stars have enjoyed significant success in their nascent coaching careers this season.  

Xabi Alonso has just won his first Bundesliga title in charge of Bayer Leverkusen and looks a good bet to take home a treble this season with the Werkself still in contention for the Europa League and the DFB Pokal. 

Dirk Kuyt, meanwhile, recently guided Beerschot to the Belgian top flight at the first time of asking. 

Another star from the Rafa Benitez era is also making waves in the coaching game with Fernando Torres last weekend wrapping up the División de Honor Juvenil de Fútbol Group V title with his Atletico Madrid under-19 side just 72 hours after the tragic death of his father, Jose. 

Atletico are now seven points clear of arch-rivals Real Madrid with only two matches to go following their latest 2-0 win against SS Reyes last weekend. 

The No.9, and another former Liverpool player, Alvaro Arbeloa - in charge of Real’s U19s - recently made headlines for ugly sideline clashes during the mini-Clasico. 

Los Colchoneros will now go forward to compete in the Copa de Campeones Juvenil de Fútbol alongside the other six Group winners and the best runner-up to determine Spain's overall U19 champion. 

Torres makes successful start to coaching career

Torres moved into coaching back in 2021, taking over the Atleti Juvenil side alongside Ricardo Ortega while he completed his coaching badges. 

He has announced his intention to leave his post at the end of this season following a successful stint in charge. 

A report earlier this month in Relevo confirmed the 40-year-old’s plans, with it believed that the ex-striker had reached the end of a cycle. 

There are few options available to him should he decide to continue his career with Atletico; the next most senior positions in the chain of command are reserve team manager and first-team manager. 

It doesn’t appear Diego Simeone is going anywhere anytime soon and neither is reserve boss Luis Garcia Tevenet. 

Torres is well-regarded at Atletico and could move into the reserve role should Tevenet join Simeone’s senior coaching staff. 

Otherwise he could opt to continue his coaching career elsewhere. 

Torres reconnects with his Anfield roots

The World Cup winner has recently reconnected with his Liverpool roots, starring in a recent Legends match against Ajax at Anfield, where he netted once more in front of the Kop. 

He was also reported to have spent time at the AXA Training Centre alongside Jurgen Klopp, taking in the German’s sessions and also running the rule over Liverpool’s youth sectors. 

It might be too soon to throw el Nino’s name into the frame to replace Klopp in the Anfield hotseat but as his coaching career goes from strength to strength, Torres is certainly one to keep tabs on.