Why not Amorim or Lijnders as Liverpool’s manager? Inevitably, and with Klopp looking set to depart, the club will want personality, success and – yes – player input. This summer might be crucial for Liverpool FC. They are gearing up for the departure of their magician: Jurgen Klopp.
Should Liverpool find a way to win this season it might soften the blow. In any case, with Klopp due to move on at the end of this year’s campaign, the club is busy scouting the market for someone who will retain the fluidity and spirit he has given the team on the back facing, while also embodying what makes it special off it.
The Portuguese gaffer, more renegade in character and hence a better fit for the club’s ideals, is leading the race for the role. At Liverpool, personality is everything.
For the manager to be a success, they must be au fait not just with the tactics of football but also the passionate language of a ferociously loyal fanbase, as well as the rich history of club and city.
Writing in the Reading The Game Newsletter for The Independent, Miguel Delaney reported that Liverpool’s hierarchy – ‘headed by their sporting director Michael Edwards and CEO of football Richard Hughes’ – had been clear that the personality of the Sporting manager Ruben Amorim was always eye-catching.
Lijnders Is In The Race Too!
However, Liverpool are considering other options also. Pundit Alan Brazil insists that the Liverpool squad favours Klopp’s understudy Pep Lijnders.
Lijnders also expressed his desire to step into the shoes of Klopp, aligning with Liverpool’s tradition of promoting from within.
Speaking on the TalkSPORT Breakfast Show, Brazil said,
“I’ll stick by Klopp’s understudy, Pep. That’s who I am told the players want.”
Lijnders announced his departure at the same time as Klopp. He told the club site that he always planned to leave Liverpool when Klopp called it a day:
“I always said I will finish with Jürgen; the moment I will not assist anyone else, that’s the moment I will go and I will manage. That was always the case.
So when we spoke, it was clear for me: OK, then I go and manage, and we end this project together [that] we started.”
Lijnders or Amorim?
While Lijnders offers continuity and intimate knowledge of the club, Amorim presents a fresh perspective and managerial skills honed at Sporting.
However, Liverpool’s managerial search is not only based on popular opinions or internal preferences.
Edwards and Hughes have a reputation for having a data-driven approach. The candidate should embody the club’s values as well as demonstrate potential success on the pitch.
The player’s input will be also an important factor. Some of the players reportedly favour Lijnders to succeed Klopp.
However, the final decision is in the hands of the club’s leadership. They will carefully evaluate all options before making a definitive choice.
The brewing departure of Klopp has added urgency to Liverpool’s managerial search, especially with the team’s recent setback in the Europa League.
Despite the challenges, Liverpool will be focused on finishing the season strong, with hopes of securing silverware and providing Klopp with a fitting farewell.
