5 Stopgap Manager Options That Could Rescue Liverpool’s Season – From Klopp Fantasy to Surprise Thiago and Gerrard Shouts
Liverpool’s dismal run of performances has deteriorated to such an extent that the initial rumors regarding Arne Slot’s long-term prospects have transformed into legitimate concerns about his position.
Suffering nine losses in their last twelve matches across all competitions, the Reds are currently enduring their most abysmal stretch of results since the nascent years of the 1950s.
Should this slump persist for a protracted duration, the 2025-26 season could rapidly descend into a state beyond repair.
However, Liverpool may need to exercise considerable endurance and forbearance in their pursuit of the next manager to lead the club for the long haul should they resolve to terminate Slot’s tenure.
5. Zinedine Zidane (Ex Liverpool Coach)
Let’s Consider this option a real long shot. To be completely frank, we think this scenario is highly improbable.
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While Zidane’s name has consistently surfaced in discussions surrounding major managerial vacancies in the English top flight, the possibility of him actually taking on such a role has never seemed particularly likely.
It’s nearly impossible to picture a figure as enigmatic and worldly as this man patrolling the sidelines for a team like Leeds or Wolves; he simply exudes too much European sophistication.
One can only admire Zidane’s patience in holding out for the ideal opportunity. It had to be Real Madrid. And then Real Madrid once more. And now, France is clearly on his horizon.
It’s a widely acknowledged fact in the sport that he is almost certainly going to take over from Didier Deschamps as the French national team’s manager following the World Cup.
However, what exactly is he occupying himself with until then? Is a round of UEFA engagements and promotional appearances truly sufficient to satisfy his innovative mind?
Why not, instead, make a dramatic entrance on Merseyside for half a season, attempt to secure a fourth Champions League title, and then depart in glory?
4. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool Legend)
Adam Crafton’s tweet, essentially a request for Steven Gerrard to take over as interim manager of Liverpool this season, is a sarcastic jab from a rival fan and don’t forget Crafton supports Manchester United.
He, like many other opposing fans, clearly hopes to see Liverpool experience a spectacular and messy failure.
Considering Gerrard’s recent coaching struggles, including a poor performance at Aston Villa and a questionable move to Saudi Arabia, the likelihood of him ever managing his beloved Liverpool seems to be fading significantly.
Let’s just be straight forward, Gerrard’s qualifications for a position of this magnitude seem questionable.
However, considered as a temporary solution primarily focused on injecting positive energy into the environment? Perhaps.
At the very least, Gerrard’s presence could revitalize the morale within what is being depicted as a dispirited Liverpool squad.
If he were to assemble a sharp and skilled group of coaches to handle the intricate tactical aspects, similar to his setup with Michael Beale at Rangers, this approach might not be as catastrophic as it initially seems.
But let’s be realistic, it likely would be, although the ensuing spectacle would be undeniably captivating.
3. Rob Page
The list we’ve compiled is full of potential candidates who would generate a significant buzz, for better or worse.
Page wouldn’t exactly fit that description. However, there’s a certain practical rationale in considering the Under-21s manager during a difficult period.
While he can claim the accomplishment of guiding Wales to their first World Cup appearance in over six decades, their performances in Qatar were disappointing, and their results towards the end of his time in charge were frankly awful.
It’s questionable whether this ex-player possesses the necessary tactical expertise for such a demanding role.
Nevertheless, desperate situations sometimes call for desperate measures, and you might have to rely on whoever is readily available.
A dependable and uninspiring presence, someone who can simply stabilize the situation, might be precisely what is needed.
2. Jurgen Klopp (Ex Liverpool Coach)
Klopp’s intensely emotional goodbye at the end of the 2023-24 season felt like a truly definitive end. Back then, we wouldn’t have imagined a return to Anfield was even remotely possible.
However, Klopp’s recent appearance on Steven Bartlett’s podcast, where he sounded surprisingly open to the prospect, has changed things.
A potential obstacle remains his reported strained relationship with FSG’s CEO of Football, Michael Edwards. However, this might not be insurmountable.
Although Klopp seems to have rediscovered his energy lately, a full-blown, long-term commitment like his previous nine-year period seems unlikely.
Yet, aiding the club he loves in a temporary role, perhaps until the German national team job becomes available? It’s not beyond the realms of possibility.
A scenario where he and Nagelsmann switch positions in July isn’t completely out of the question.
1. Thiago Alcantara (Ex Liverpool Player)
Essentially the “what’s the worst that could happen?” choice.
As a relatively inexperienced assistant to Hansi Flick at Barcelona, Thiago lacks significant time on the sidelines.
He is the same age as Virgil van Dijk and only recently retired from playing professionally.
Look, there are plenty of understandable reasons why this might not work out.
However, there’s something about this guy. It’s just a hunch, a strong intuition, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see him become one of the most exciting up-and-coming managers in European football.
Think about it: Mikel Arteta, Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas, Xabi Alonso, Pep Guardiola… The pathway is there.
Highly intelligent midfielders, particularly those hailing from the Basque region or Catalonia, with their renowned ability to understand the game, often possess the ideal foundation to excel as top-tier coaches.
