Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou would reject the chance to become Liverpool manager in order to remain at Spurs, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.
Jurgen Klopp announced in January his intention to step down as Reds boss at the end of the season and that decision has sparked intrigue over who will replace the German in the Anfield hotseat.
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is seen as the overwhelming favourite to replace Klopp, having guided Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga standings, and oversaw a remarkable 3-0 over title rivals Bayern Munich at the weekend.
Alonso, 42, is a Kop icon having won the Champions League and FA Cup among other honours during his playing days on Merseyside.
Nonetheless, no deal has been agreed between Liverpool and the former Spain international and his club, Leverkusen, are optimistic that he will see out his contract which extends until 2026.
Other names in the frame thus far have included Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon and Roberto de Zerbi of Brighton.
Postecoglou joined Spurs last summer and set about making an immediate impact in North London. Spurs are back among the Champions League places and the Australian has reinvigorated a squad shorn of Harry Kane in last summer’s transfer window.
The 58-year-old has won plaudits for his positive style of football, a feature that would go down well with Anfield regulars.
However, it is understood by the Telegraph that Postecoglou intends to put roots down in the capital and the club have no fear currently about losing the former Australia boss.
Postecoglou signed a four-year deal with Spurs last summer with the Telegraph reporting that it is a heavily-incentivised contract, meaning he will earn considerable bonuses should the club return to the Champions League next season.
The paper also states that Postecoglou is in the shake-up to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City once the Spaniard’s terms expire in 2025.
While no arrangements are thus far in place regarding Guardiola and his future intentions, Postecoglou is well regarded within the City Football Group having led CFG-owned Yokohama F.Marinos to the Japanese J1 League title in 2019.