Liverpool are in a tussle with several clubs over a new manager, with Thiago Motta standing out as an option
Could Thiago Motta move to Anfield?(Image credit: Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Liverpool are at a crossroads over appointing their next manager – and could turn to a surprise candidate in Thiago Motta.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has been hugely impressive this season, cutting his teeth as Bologna boss in Serie A. As the managerial merry-go-round gears up for the summer, there's expected to be plenty of movement – and Liverpool could see their first two choices to replace Jurgen Klopp poached by other sides.
Following Xabi Alonso's confirmation that he's set to remain at Bayer Leverkusen for another season, the Reds have reportedly honed in on Sporting's Ruben Amorim and Brighton & Hove Albion's Roberto De Zerbi – but could end up with neither.
Xabi Alonso is staying at Bayer Leverkusen, leaving Liverpool scrambling for a Plan B (Image credit: Getty Images)
With Xavi Hernandez departing at the end of the season, Barça are now stepping up their pursuit of Amorim, who's believed to have been of interest to the Catalan outfit for a while now. They're also said to have interest in De Zerbi.
Coincidentally, Bayern Munich are believed to favour the Seagulls gaffer to replace the outgoing Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season. Manchester United and Chelsea could also be interested in either De Zerbi or Amorim, too, with neither Erik ten Hag nor Mauricio Pochettino facing certain futures in their respective dugouts.
This could leave Liverpool looking for a Plan D. Enter Motta, with Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport reporting that the Brazil-born former Italian international is yet to ‘do an Alonso’ and confirm to Bologna that he will be continuing next term.
Sporting's head coach Ruben Amorim is in demand this summer (Image credit: FILIPE AMORIM/AFP via Getty Images)
Motta has won plaudits a-plenty in Serie A for his intelligent style of play that relies on intricate build-up, drawing comparisons to the likes of De Zerbi – and Juventus have been touted as a possible next step. His decision not to commit to his employers, however, raises questions over whether he expects an approach from a bigger side over the summer.
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Recently, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Amorim leads the Liverpool candidate list with De Zerbi also appearing, though just who else would appeal to the Merseysiders remains somewhat of a mystery.
Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.
