10 names on Liverpool shortlist to replace Jürgen Klopp before appointing Arne Slot

Arne Slot has been confirmed as the new head coach of Liverpool. The Dutchman succeeds Jürgen Klopp following an extensive search which also saw 10 other names being considered.

Slot will officially take charge at the start of next month, having agreed to a three-year deal at Anfield. Confirmation of his appointment comes less than 24 hours after Klopp’s final game as manager.

Liverpool’s search for a new manager began after Klopp announced his departure back in January. FSG’s CEO of football Michael Edwards was placed in charge of finding the new boss, with certain criteria needing to be followed.

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Following Klopp’s announcement, Xabi Alonso was seen by many as the early favorite, with the former midfielder still on course for an unbeaten treble this season. The Spaniard ruled himself out of the running though, leaving Liverpool to draw up a different shortlist of candidates.

According to The Athletic, 10 other options were considered alongside Slot. That included Sporting CP boss Rúben Amorim, who was considered the favorite by bookmakers following Alonso’s decision.

Roberto De Zerbi, who is leaving Brighton this summer, was also on the shortlist, although not said to be one of the first names on it. Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola and Newcastle’s Eddie Howe were also reportedly discussed, having both worked with incoming sporting director Richard Hughes.

Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness was said to have had many admirers within Liverpool, as well as scoring closely to Klopp on the data, while Girona boss Michel made the list after a superb season in Spain.

Inter Milan’s Simone Inzaghi, whose lack of English was seen as potentially problematic, and Lille’s Paulo Fonseca were also considered. Neither though are said to have been seriously in the frame.

One surprise name that featured was Athletic Bilbao’s Ernesto Valverde, with the former Barcelona boss claimed to have been a leading contender for the job. Luciano Spalletti was also said to have been of interest, although he was only appointed as Italy manager last August after leading Napoli to the Serie A title.

One name that wasn’t in contention though was Thomas Tuchel, with many of the names linked having never been in the frame. Eventually, Liverpool landed on Slot, with the 45-year-old now set to arrive on Merseyside next month.

Liverpool.com says: Some of those names do make for interesting reading. It’s particularly intriguing that Valverde was a leading candidate, considering his name has been barely mentioned over the last few months.

He would have been an interesting choice — with league titles with Barcelona and Olympiacos, as well as ending Bilbao’s 40-year wait for a trophy this season, you can see why he was in the running. He’ll be remembered by Liverpool fans though for THAT Champions League semi-final back in 2019, which might have made things a bit more difficult for him.

As it is, Slot is the man who gets the nod. The countdown is on now for his first game in charge of the Reds.