Brendan Rodgers has had a tough time of late at the helm of Liverpool football club. With their poor form on the pitch and talk of disharmony away from it, the former Swansea City boss is facing his toughest spell on Merseyside since he became manager in 2012.
Despite the fact that Rodgers almost led Liverpool to their first Premier League title last season, a run of poor results and an early exit from the Champions League has left them in 11th place, with many fans calling for the Northern-Irishman to leave his post.
Rodgers is still firmly in charge at Liverpool, but there are a number of managers that would be considered viable options for the job if Rodgers was to leave...
Andre Villas-Boas
AVB has been linked with the Liverpool job in recent weeks, with rumours circulating that the Reds have enquired about the Portuguese boss’ coaching techniques to see whether he would be a suitable replacement for Rodgers.
Villas-Boas has performed well at Zenit St Petersburg since taking charge earlier this year, with the Russian club are on course for the title in AVB’s first full season in charge. Villas-Boas may feel as if he has unfinished business in the Premier League due to his dismissals at both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, which may lure him back. However, will Liverpool fans see Villa Boas as a good enough replacement for Brendan Rodgers should he depart the club?
Jurgen Klopp
One of the most flamboyant and tactically astute young mangers in world football at the moment is Jurgen Klopp. The 47-year-old German recently admitted that he could manage in the Premier League one day and the managerial post at Liverpool could be something that steers Klopp away from the dugout at the Westfalenstadion.
Klopp’s Dortmund side flew through the Champions League group stage but have struggled massively in the Bundesliga this term. They currently sit in 16th place, trailing Bayern Munich by 25 points. A move to England could be an attractive proposition for Klopp, who may feel that he has taken his Dortmund team as far as they can go.
Rafael Benitez
A legendary figure at Liverpool, Rafael Benitez’s return would certainly be a romantic one, but would he be able to emulate the success he generated in 2005? His current side, Napoli, sit seventh in Serie A, 12 points behind leaders Juventus.
Benitez’s interim spell at Chelsea was always going to be a difficult job but he proved many doubters wrong, leading the team to Europa League glory in a short stint. The Spaniard is certainly no stranger to success and his appointment would be a popular one amongst Liverpool fans. At still only 54-years-old, Benitez may feel that a second attempt at managing the Reds may be a more attractive alternative to his current role in Italy.
Frank De Boer
For a young manager, De Boer has an encouraging CV. The 44-year-old has managed the Ajax youth team before becoming the assistant manager of the Dutch national team for two years and is now the main man with the Amsterdam giants. He likes his teams to play in an attractive manner, often using to possession football to open teams up.
Rather ironically, there is very little difference between both Rodgers and De Boer as managers. Therefore, a potential move for the Dutchman may not result in a dramatic change of ethos at Anfield. However, De Boer will be looking to develop his managerial career further in the future and the potential post at Liverpool may be too good a proposition to turn down.
Guus Hiddink
Another manager who was successful at Chelsea, Guus Hiddink would certainly be the experienced option if Liverpool were to approach him. There is no doubting the Dutchman’s managerial ability; he has worked for a host of clubs and national teams that has spanned over a career of nearly three decades.
Hiddink’s current job as the manager of the Netherlands has not been particularly straightforward. He threatened to quit his post back in November if the team lost to Latvia. Fortunately, the Dutch stormed to a 6-0 victory but they are still six points off the Czech Republic at the top of the qualifying table. Hiddink could be persuaded back into club management if the Dutch national side continue to falter and there is no doubt that his appointment would excite Liverpool supporters. However, at 68 years old, he may call time on his managerial career in the very near future.