Manager Options For Liverpool FC

I thought I'd give AI a go at setting out the best course of action if Arne Slot were to be given the heave-ho in the next few weeks.

The brief was specifically for an interim manager until the end of the season who would get the players back into shape and back playing the physical kind of football that works in the Prem and has worked for Liverpool recently, and then a long term successor to continue that work and put their own stamp on the team.

And here's what it's come up with:

3 interim options available now

These are managers who are currently out of work, so could realistically walk in tomorrow and give the squad an immediate jolt.

1) Steven Gerrard

Current status: Out of work, last club Al Ettifaq. Listed among top unemployed managers as of November 2025, and has been widely reported as someone Liverpool have sounded out as an interim if Slot goes.

Why he fits the brief:

Massive authority in that dressing room from day one.

Reputation for demanding standards, intensity, and physical work, especially at Rangers, where fitness and aggression were a big part of their title season.

As an interim, he can be the "hairdryer and running" guy without needing to be the long term tactical project.

2) Erik ten Hag

Current status: Out of work after a short and messy spell at Bayer Leverkusen, explicitly listed as unemployed as of November 2025.

Why he fits the brief:

Very structured, very demanding, and not afraid to cut players who do not buy in.

His football is high pressing and positional, which forces the squad to get physically sharp again.

As an interim or short project he could restore organisation and fitness standards even if he is not the long term cultural figurehead you would want.

3) Ange Postecoglou

Current status: Sacked by Nottingham Forest in October 2025, currently unemployed.

Why he fits the brief:

Known for very intense attacking football and big physical demands, going back to Celtic and Spurs.

Would come in and insist on brave, front-foot play and a lot of running, which is exactly the kind of reset you use to wake a complacent squad up.

As a bridge until the summer, he could turn the mood and physical output around quickly, even if he is not the eventual "project" manager.


5 long term options for Liverpool (end of season targets, or earlier if possible)

1) Xabi Alonso - Real Madrid head coach

Current job: Head coach of Real Madrid since June 2025.

Why he fits:

At Leverkusen and now Madrid, his teams are built on high pressing, compactness, and very sharp physical work. That does not happen without demanding sessions.

Knows Liverpool, knows Anfield, understands what a Klopp era level of intensity looks like.

Tactically flexible but always with a big emphasis on work rate and distances between players, which is exactly what you fix when a side looks flabby and disconnected.

Realism: Under contract at Madrid but clearly struggling with the set up there. As a pure football fit he is about as close to "Klopp reset with a different spin" as you will get.

2) Julian Nagelsmann - Germany manager

Current job: Coach of the Germany national team, contract currently to 2028.

Why he fits:

His sides at Hoffenheim, Leipzig and Bayern were all high tempo and physically demanding, lots of pressing triggers and repeated sprints.

Known for detail in training, big tactical and physical demands, and a willingness to be ruthless with players who do not meet his standards.

Could rebuild Liverpool's structure while re-establishing an intense running and pressing identity.

Realism: He is publicly saying he intends to see out his Germany deal, but if that goes badly or he decides he wants a return to day to day club work.

3) Simone Inzaghi - Al Hilal head coach

Current job: Head coach of Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, appointed in June 2025.

Why he fits:

At Inter his sides were incredibly drilled, ran hard, and repeated high intensity patterns. You do not get that kind of success with 3-5-2 without serious conditioning and a strict training culture.

Very good at turning teams into machines in and out of possession, which is what Liverpool likely need.

Realism: Under contract in Saudi and will be paid very well, but the Premier League and Liverpool specifically would be a genuine pull if he wants to come back to Europe at elite level.

4) Andoni Iraola - Bournemouth manager

Current job: Manager of Bournemouth in the Premier League.


Why he fits:

His entire profile is high press, high work rate, and big physical output. Bournemouth's transformation under him has been strongly tied to distance covered and intensity off the ball.

Would absolutely not be a "light" training coach. If you want players pushed hard Monday to Friday, he is in that category.

Realism: Under contract and Bournemouth will fight to keep him, but he is in England already, proven in the league, and very obviously on the radar of bigger clubs if he keeps overperforming.

5) Sebastian Hoeneß - VfB Stuttgart head coach

Current job: Head coach of VfB Stuttgart.

Why he fits:

Stuttgart under him are extremely energetic, with a big emphasis on vertical attacks and aggressive counter-pressing. That is a training ground thing as much as talent.

Comes from a "Bayern school" environment, so he understands what a top club culture of intensity looks like, even if he is operating at a slightly lower tier right now.

Realism: Still relatively early in his top flight career, so he might want to grow a little more in Germany, but he ticks the boxes if Liverpool want someone on the way up rather than a fully established name.


Honourable mentions, still very "Liverpool-ish" in style

Not in the top 5 as likely not available, but would clearly be a good fit for Liverpool.

Antonio Conte - Napoli head coach.

Napoli manager since 2024, won Serie A in 2024-25, famous for brutal pre-seasons and very hard physical demands on players.


Luis Enrique - PSG manager.

Still at Paris Saint Germain, his sides press, run and work very hard, and PSG under him are physically dominant and positionally intense.
Wikipedia

If either of those became available, they are strong fits for Liverpool.


Just a bit of fun as always, don't take it too seriously, but most of these names have been talked about on here lots.

For me, I have been genuinely filled with fear for a few years about Gerrard taking over because I just don't think he has what it takes to be a top class manager, but. I do think he is a very good coach and if he had an experienced assistant come in with him (not just his own team), then there's every chance he could provide the kick up the harris that this team needs to get out of the current slump.

Longer term, there's some great options out there that I think could work. Alonso, Iraola, Conte, Enrique, Inzaghi for me would all do very very well at Liverpool, and whilst only Alonso and Iraola would likely be 5-10 year appointments, they could all do a job with this squad (and maybe a couple of reinforcements) .

Hope everyone's having a great week so far!

Written by RedDawn December 08 2025 20:39:22