Six possible replacements for sacked Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool

Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | October 7, 2015

After the sacking of Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool boss, following the club’s draw with Everton in the Merseyside derby, Coral writers find six managers that are in line to take over the top job at Anfield.

The Northern Irishman was named LMA Manager of the Year in 2013/14 after guiding the Reds to second place in the Premier League that campaign, but came sixth the season after and the club’s performances continue to get worse and worse.

So, with Rodgers now finally out of the hotseat we have come up with six possible replacements who could be tasked with trying to revive the Merseysiders’ fortunes.

Carlo Ancelotti – 7/2 to be next Liverpool boss

Perhaps the most high profile person on this list in terms of trophies won and clubs managed, during his time as manager of the likes of AC Milan, Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid.

The Italian, still only 56, is currently out of work after leaving Los Blancos, and has even previously stated his admiration for Liverpool so would be a real coup for the owners.

Marcelo Bielsa – 40/1

From one crazy coach to another, Argentine Bielsa would be a like-for-like replacement for Rodgers if appointed in terms of similar formations (three at the back) and attacking style.

Most recently at Marseille, where he threatened for much of last season to pip PSG to the Ligue 1 title, Bielsa is known for his unique and sometimes controversial methods, and despite being much-heralded by his peers tends to go for less high-profile jobs. Bielsa could be a surprise fit.

Frank de Boer – 16/1

Dutch icon De Boer has been linked with the Reds in the past, and could finally take up the position after perhaps achieving all he can with Ajax, having claimed four successive league titles with them up until last season.

Jurgen Klopp – 1/7 odds-on favourite

Eccentric Klopp is the man every fan wants at their club, as was obvious when he announced he would leave Borussia Dortmund last season.

The German, who guided his former club to two Bundesliga titles and a Champions League final appearance during his seven-year spell, is currently on a sabbatical, but could cut it short if he fancies Liverpool to be his next challenge.

Let’s hope we see plenty of this if Klopp ever manages in the Premier League…

Nigel Pearson

Are you an ostrich? If you don’t believe that Pearson can be next Liverpool head coach then you might well be, as he is well in contention.

The former Leicester City boss, despite a few bizarre moments, did a commendable job with the Foxes by leading them to the Championship title and miraculously keeping them in the top flight. Pearson would take his head out of the sand any day to take charge at Anfield.

Andre Villas-Boas – 33/1

Barring a poor spell at Chelsea when he was in his early-to-mid-30s, Portuguese Villas-Boas has been impressive with Porto, Tottenham and Zenit St-Petersburg.

He would have been disappointed being sacked by Spurs, after gaining a 55 per cent win record, and after suggesting he won’t stay with the Russian outfit beyond this season he may fancy trying his luck in England once more.

If you aren’t convinced any of the above will take over at Liverpool, then the likes of Diego Simeone, Ronald Koeman, Jurgen Klinsmann, Vincenzo Montella and even Jamie Carragher are also all in the running.