Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard could be offered an interview as Reds bosses plan to appoint Jurgen Klopp’s successor as manager, according to a report.
Last month, Klopp shocked the football world with the news that he would step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the 2023/24 season.
The 56-year-old claimed he was “running out of energy” after more than eight years in the job.
With Klopp’s departure, a number of key players are set to leave the club, including assistant manager Pep Lijnders, while interim sporting director Jorg Schmattke is also due to leave at the end of the January transfer window.
The Reds’ FSG ownership currently faces a critical period as it considers replacing Klopp, finding a new permanent sporting director and appointing other necessary roles around the manager that will contribute to the club’s success.
Former Liverpool midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is the frontrunner to replace Klopp this summer. However, the 42-year-old remains reluctant about his public commitments as he bids to win Leverkusen’s first ever Bundesliga title.
Roberto De Zerbi (Brighton), Ruben Amorim (Sporting CP) and Julian Nagelmann (Germany) are the names most often rumored, but 90min reports that the Reds already have seven potential players. They claim they have a list of candidates, including Ange Postecoglou. (Tottenham), Roger Schmidt (Benfica), Unai Emery (Aston Villa).
Additionally, 90min reports that club legend Gerrard, who is not on the seven-man shortlist, may also be interviewed despite not being a strong candidate. There is.
Once looked almost certain to become Liverpool’s head coach at some point, Gerrard’s chances of landing the job have declined sharply in recent years.
The 43-year-old, a product of Liverpool’s academy, is third on the Reds’ all-time appearances list and is his first appearance as captain. The former midfielder won two FA Cups, three League Cups, the UEFA Cup and was also instrumental in the famous 2005 Champions League victory.
Al Etifaq Head Coach Steven Gerrard Al Etifaq Head Coach Steven Gerrard before the friendly match between NK Varazdin and Al Etifaq at the City Stadium in Varazdin, Croatia on July 15, 2023.
After retiring as a player, Gerrard worked in Liverpool’s youth system before becoming manager of Rangers, where he became an admirer after winning the Scottish Premiership.
However, his stock declined as the Premier League side struggled under his management and he was sacked in October 2022 following a move to Aston Villa.
Last summer, the 114-cap England international joined Saudi Professional League side Al Etifaq and helped facilitate Jordan Henderson’s infamously ill-fated move to the Middle East.
90min reports that while Gerrard is “not a candidate” for Klopp’s appointment, the club makes the surprising claim that “if he requests an interview, we would respectfully offer him an interview.” doing.
Given Gerrard’s status as one of Liverpool’s greatest ever players, any suggestion that FSG would conduct a courtesy interview at such a crucial time seems unlikely.
Meanwhile, it also seems unlikely that Gerrard will seek a chance, given that he signed a contract extension until 2027 in Saudi Arabia last month.