Who’s the next man to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool?

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Liverpool Jurgen Klopp

Source: si.com

Liverpool owners have a huge task ahead when with Jurgen Klopp likely to move on in 2024 at the end of his contract.

Liverpool FC and Jurgen Klopp were a match made in heaven when the German became manager in 2015. Klopp was on his sabbatical after his tenure as Borussia Dortmund manager when he was named Liverpool manager.

Since then Klopp has delivered the Premier League (2019-20), made it to the UEFA Champions League Finals twice, and won it once (2018-19), UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup (2019).

Meanwhile, in the current season, the club is chasing the highest honour, the “Quadruple”. The Reds have already picked up the EFL Cup, are into the FA Cup final, and to face Villarreal in the Champions League semis. Meanwhile, there is a tight race in the Premier League standings.

This impressive list of honours has Liverpool supporters desperate for Klopp to sign an extension with the club. The German’s contract expires in the summer of 2024 and he has remained quiet on his Anfield future so far.

Has FSG identified the man to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool?

Photo Source: japantimes.co

Nobody likes to think about it much, but it won’t be too long before Jürgen Klopp gives FSG a big problem at Liverpool. His expected 2024 departure is still some way off, and the best thing for supporters to do is to enjoy the ride until then, but behind the scenes, there must be some anxiety about the looming uncertainty.

While speaking to the German outlet SportBuzzer Klopp confirmed that he intends to take another sabbatical, much as he did after his time at Borussia Dortmund.

I’ll take a year off and ask myself if I miss football. If I say no, then that will be the end of coach Jurgen Klopp.

If one day I am no longer a coach, there is one thing I will not miss: the brutal tension immediately before the game.

Some reports have claimed that Liverpool’s owners FSG, are already planning for life after Jurgen Klopp.

Next big thing

Photo Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com

Pep Lijnders has been the name that has continuously been mentioned as Klopp’s successor. The Dutchman has been with Klopp for many many years and is the closest FSG can get to eliminate aspects of the unknown.

When Bill Shankley left the Reds in 1974, his assistant Bob Paisley was appointed a successor for continuity reasons. It was a decision that emphatically paid off, with Paisley becoming the club’s most successful manager by leading Liverpool to three European Cups and six top-flight titles.

But the concern comes in is Lijnders’ lack of experience.

Before arriving at Anfield in 2014, he worked under Vitor Baia and Andre Villas-Boas at Porto. Moreover, he had a small spell in his homeland at NEC.

The failed six-month stint in the Netherlands, after which Lijnders returned to Liverpool, is the only managerial appointment on his résume.

The Portuguese factor

FSG have a big task in deciding on life after Klopp. But they may already have given a major hint about their direction of thinking.

Last season it was Diogo Jota who joined in the Liverpool’s attack. Meanwhile, this term, it is Luis Diaz who brings in the Portuguese flavor to Anfield even though he is a Colombian.

Both these players have one thing in common they both have played for FC Porto. They both have spent developmental years at Porto.

Klopp has shown his immense respect for Portuguese football in the past. But it does not take long to find out where his influence has come from. Lijnders spent eight years at Porto, including work with the academy there.

The Dutchman understands all about the country’s untapped potential. It could be that FSG are already shaping the future team in his image.

One player from Portugal is a coincidence. Two is a pattern, especially given that both Jota and Díaz have a base at the same Portuguese club as Lijnders. 

Moreover, if Benfica’s Darwin Nunez deal goes through,  it would become impossible to avoid the inference that FSG are no longer building solely in Klopp’s image.

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