Five leading candidates to replace Klopp at Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp has stunned the footballing world by announcing he will step down as Liverpool boss this summer.

The Reds have enjoyed a glittering period of success since his arrival in 2015 and replacing the German will be no mean feat.

We take a look at five leading candidates to fill the soon-to-be vacant Anfield hotseat.

Xabi Alonso

Given Liverpool's proud history, hiring a former Red would help ensure a smooth transition into the post-Klopp era — and Xabi Alonso could be the perfect choice.

The Spaniard, who racked up 210 appearances for the Merseysiders between 2004 and 2009 and starred in the club's iconic 2005 Champions League success, is excelling at Bayer Leverkusen.

Alonso has his current employers locked in a fierce battle for the Bundesliga title with the mighty Bayern Munich and has quickly become one of world football's most sought-after coaches as a result.

Playing attractive and attacking football, he ticks all the boxes and the romance of an Anfield return may prove difficult for the 42-year-old to resist.

Roberto De Zerbi

If the Reds prefer a candidate with Premier League experience, Brighton's impressive Italian Roberto De Zerbi is a strong contender.

Little was known on English shores about the former Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk boss when he arrived on the South Coast as Graham Potter's replacement in September 2022.

However, De Zerbi wasted little time settling in, steering the Seagulls to European qualification for the first time in their history last term alongside a memorable run to the FA Cup semi-finals.

Also touted as a possible successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, De Zerbi looks tailor-made for an elite club.

Zinedine Zidane

After two trophy-laden spells in charge of Real Madrid, Zinedine Zidane has been patiently waiting for his next opportunity.

The French legend, 51, won 174 of his 263 games in charge of Los Blancos, guiding them to two LaLiga titles and three Champions League triumphs.

A sterner character than the jovial Klopp, Zidane is not a typical Liverpool managerial candidate but his record speaks for itself.

And while some would be overwhelmed by the prospect of following such a successful period, the 1998 Ballon d'Or winner would undoubtedly relish the challenge.

Steven Gerrard

Think Liverpool legends and you instantly bring up Steven Gerrard — a man who long looked destined to be a future Reds manager.

The former club captain made a promising start to his managerial career with Scottish giants Rangers but a difficult spell at Aston Villa saw him axed after less than a year in charge.

Gerrard recently signed a new deal with his current club Al-Ettifaq, who sit a modest eighth in Saudi Arabia's Pro League and have just lost star player Jordan Henderson to Ajax.

The 43-year-old would surely also leave the Middle East if Liverpool came calling, though sadly for Gerrard, that ship may have sailed.

Julian Nagelsmann

When it comes to where Klopp may rock up next, many assume a crack at the German national job would be his top choice.

That post could become available soon, with current incumbent Julian Naglesmann, who only replaced Hansi Flick in September, winning just one of his first four games in charge.

A home European Championship will be do-or-die for the former RB Leipzig and Bayern boss and if he does fail to deliver this summer, a quick return to club football could appeal.

Highly regarded for his coaching and linked with Liverpool previously, it would not be all that far-fetched if Nagelsmann and Klopp effectively ended up swapping jobs.