Liverpool are looking for a new manager after announcing the departure of Arne Slot on Saturday.
Slot leaves Anfield after two seasons in charge. He was tremendously successful in his first, winning the Premier League at a canter, but received significant criticism this term as Liverpool’s title defence quickly crumbled.
The Reds went trophy-less and finished fifth in the Premier League, with their style of play heavily scrutinised amid continued poor results.
There is a clear number one contender to succeed him, but here we look at some of the other potential candidates as Liverpool move on to a new era.
Andoni Iraola
The immediate heavy favourite. Iraola’s Bournemouth side finished just three points behind Liverpool this season as he capped his time at the Vitality Stadium by guiding the Cherries to a sixth-placed finish, securing European football for the first time in their history.
He achieved that feat despite losing Kerkez to Anfield and centre-backs Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi to Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain respectively last summer, with star winger Antoine Semenyo then departing for Manchester City in the January transfer window.
Iraola announced in April that he would leave Bournemouth to pursue a new challenge and has been linked with Crystal Palace and Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
However, neither of those opportunities have the appeal of a move to Anfield, where his brand of high-intensity football would be welcomed after significant criticism of the style of playing under Slot as results declined.
Iraola could bring a return to the ‘heavy mental’ brand of football that the departing Mohamed Salah called for earlier this month, and it’s difficult to look past him as Slot’s successor.
Marco Silva
Silva has not officially confirmed he will leave Fulham, but all signs point to him departing Craven Cottage after just under five seasons in charge.
The expectation is that Silva will leave to take up the soon-to-be vacant post at Benfica, with Jose Mourinho set to leave the Portuguese giants for Real Madrid.
Still, there’s reason to believe Liverpool could have an interest in a coach who has established Fulham as a Premier League side that plays attractive football.
Silva is perhaps not quite as exciting of a name as Iraola, but his CV is impressive enough for him to be considered a contender.
Oliver Glasner
Glasner’s resume is sparkling following his time at Crystal Palace.
The Austrian led the Eagles to three trophies in his time at Selhurst Park, adding to the stunning 2025 FA Cup triumph over Manchester City by beating Liverpool on penalties in the Community Shield and then winning the Conference League on Wednesday with victory over Rayo Vallecano.
As such, Glasner figures to have plenty of suitors, and Liverpool would be wise to at least explore the idea of hiring him.
Appointing Glasner would mean a change in system as he operates with a back three, but the 51-year-old has displayed an adaptability that Liverpool sorely lacked in their final season under Slot.
Sebastian Hoeness
Perhaps the hottest coaching name in German football right now, Hoeness has done an excellent job at Stuttgart, leading them to two top-five finishes in the Bundesliga in his first three full seasons. Stuttgart finished second in 2023-24 and fourth this season, having won the DFB-Pokal in 2025.
Hoeness’ men reached the final of the DFB-Pokal again this term, but were beaten by Bayern Munich.
Employing a high-octane style of play, Hoeness’ side scored the second-most goals (71) in the Bundesliga this season. It would be a gamble to make Liverpool his first Premier League job, but Hoeness is a coach who deserves to be on their radar.
Jurgen Klopp
Out of management since leaving Liverpool in 2024, could a return for one of Liverpool’s most celebrated managers be the best course of action for the Reds?
Klopp has stated he is enjoying the less pressurised role of Global Head of Football for Red Bull, however, talk a return to management has grown in recent times.
A second spell for the German would undoubtedly be popular with those in the dressing room who were there for his first, but it still seems unlikely at this point.
Steven Gerrard
Gerrard was successful during his time as Rangers boss, but his stock has fallen quite significantly since then.
Indeed, spells at Aston Villa and Saudi side Al Ettifaq did not go to plan, and he has not managed since his January 2025 exit from the latter.
Gerrard turned down the opportunity to return to Rangers last October, but he would surely jump at the chance to manage Liverpool.
The appointment is likely to be a popular one given Gerrard’s status as a legendary former Reds captain, but the odds of Liverpool taking such a chance are long.
