Liverpool are ramping up their search for Jurgen Klopp’s successor with his final game at the club fast approaching.
Klopp has just nine Premier League games remaining as he seeks to end his legendary reign at Anfield with a 2nd league title.
Liverpool remain in the hunt for more European glory in the Europa League, the only major trophy Klopp has not lifted during his time on Merseyside.
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He could come face-to-face with the man that many Liverpool fans wanted to replace him if Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen both reach the final but Xabi Alonso broke the hearts of many this week by confirming he would be staying at the Bundesliga side next season.
Fenway Sports Group have intensified their search for Klopp’s successor firstly by bringing Michael Edwards back to the club before naming Richard Hughes as their new sporting director.
Both men will be heavily involved in picking the club’s new manager, with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim and Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi the two current favourites.
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However, former Watford striker Troy Deeney believes another Premier League manager should come under serious consideration.
Deeney picked Wolves boss Gary O’Neil, who was a coach at Anfield prior to launching his managerial career, as the ideal option to replace Klopp.
“I'm going to throw a name at you - I think [Liverpool] need a coach next year more than a manager, so I'm going to say Gary O'Neil,” he told talkSPORT.
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“The reason I say Gary O'Neil is because I think Liverpool are going to be with a really young squad next year.
“If the rumours are are to be believed, three or four of the big players could move on and they could be left with a real young squad.
"I think it could be a team that needs a younger coach who's used to working with younger players with not too much expectation to go and win the league. If someone like [Brighton boss Roberto] De Zerbi came in, we'd expect Liverpool to still be in the top four.”
O’Neil had been linked with replacing Erik ten Hag in recent weeks after it emerged new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe was reportedly interested in appointing him in a new coaching structure at Old Trafford.
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Wolves currently sit 10th in the Premier League table.
Marcus Banks