Klopp favored for Liverpool
October 5, 2015
As Liverpool's American owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) announced the firing of manager Brendan Rodgers on Sunday, they said in a statement: "The search for a new manager is underway and we hope to make an appointment in a decisive and timely manner."
Liverpool are expected to name Rodgers' replacement before the club's next League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on October 17.
News of Rodgers' sacking followed the side's 1-1 draw with rivals Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Liverpool chief executive Ian Ayre and FSG President Mike Gordon spoke to Rodgers, who can expect a payoff in the region of 7 million pounds (9.4 million euros), within an hour of the draw at Goodison Park to inform him of the board's decision. Liverpool have spent over 200 million pounds during Rodgers' reign.
Jürgen Klopp has been out of management, on what he called a sabbatical, since May when he stepped down at Borussia Dortmund. In recent weeks he has made it clear he is ready for a return to football and would relish working in the British Premier League.
Carlo Ancelotti and Frank de Boer are also on FSG's list of possible successors to Rodgers, but Klopp is being viewed as the ideal replacement by Liverpool's hierarchy. Klopp's willingness to work within Liverpool's existing structure and get the most of the current squad are seen as his key advantages over other candidates.
Klopp would be familiar with Liverpool's club model and comfortable working at a club where others have control over recruitment after his time with Dortmund.
Former England captain Rio Ferdinand joined the Twitter discussion on the most likely successor to Rodgers:
Bosnian news outlet Pravda claimed an announcement of Klopp's appointment to a three-year deal was imminent with former assistant, Bosnian Zeljko Buvac, going to Liverpool to join him.
jm/cmk (dpa, Reuters)