Liverpool’s next manager search remains ongoing amid a major development regarding Xabi Alonso last week. The Spaniard had been the frontrunner to replace Jürgen Klopp at Anfield but announced his plans to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.
Alternative candidates are now being considered by Liverpool, with Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi among them. De Zerbi was at Anfield on Sunday as his side was narrowly beaten 2-1 by the Reds.
Liverpool has now been urged to consider another Premier League manager though, with Wolves boss Gary O’Neil mooted as a possible candidate for the job.
According to ESPN, Manchester United has been keen O’Neil, who has impressed in his first season at Molineux, about a role in the coaching set-up next season. But ex-Watford striker Troy Deeney believes Liverpool should also consider him.
Deeney said on talkSPORT: “I think [Liverpool] need a coach next year more than a manager, so I’m going to say Gary O’Neil. If the rumors are to be believed, three or four of the big players could move on and Liverpool could be left with a real young squad.
“I think it could be a team that needs a younger coach who’s used to working with younger players, with not too much expectation to go and win the league. If someone like De Zerbi came in, we’d expect Liverpool to still be in the top four.”
O’Neil, 40, has previously worked at Liverpool as assistant manager to Barry Lewtas with the club’s Under-23 side. First-team players Conor Bradley and Caoimhín Kelleher were both part of the team at the time.
He left in February 2021 to join Bournemouth as first-team coach before taking over as manager last season. But he was sacked in the summer and later appointed by Wolves.
He discussed the reported links to United and Liverpool last week in his press conference, saying per BBC Sport: “I don’t know where it came from. Growing up, Liverpool and Manchester United always felt special.
