Julian Nagelsmann is interested in taking over the Liverpool manager job from Jurgen Klopp in 2024.
That’s according to Sky Sports, who claim that the German coach would like to move to a ‘stable Premier League option’ when he leaves Bayern Munich.
Sky report that Nagelsmann is being considered for the vacant Manchester United job this summer. However, the 34-year-old would ‘be more minded to plump for the Liverpool or Manchester City job.’
Klopp’s stamp of approval
Nagelsmann has long been seen as ‘the next big thing’ in coaching.
Given his high intensity playing style, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he were being lined up by the Liverpool hierarchy to take over from Klopp once his contract expires in two-and-a-half years.
Jurgen himself has given his compatriot a glowing recommendation in the past. Before Liverpool beat Nagelsmann’s Hoffenheim side in 2017, Klopp called the then 30-year-old a ‘big big coaching talent’ via Goal.
In the same interview, Klopp also said that he had been following Nagelsmann’s career because he ‘likes good football.’
The Liverpool manager’s influence at the club is such that his opinion on his successor will surely be taken into consideration.
Currently, it appears that Steven Gerrard and Pep Lijnders would be the favourites to take over from Klopp. But should they be able to convince Nagelsmann to swap Munich for Merseyside, that would likely be seen as quite a coup.
Big shoes to fill
Of course no Liverpool fan wants to face the reality of Klopp no longer warming the manager’s seat at Anfield.
There is still hope that the 54-year-old will have a change of heart and sign on for the foreseeable future. But Jurgen has so far given no indication that he will extend his stay beyond his current deal.
The best Liverpool boss of the modern era will be a huge act to follow. But Nagelsmann is used to that kind of pressure.
At just 28, he was the youngest Bundesliga manager of all time. He has big club experience with Bayern, who he looks almost certain to win the league with this season.
Liverpool could yet see Nagelsmann up close this campaign. Should they defeat Benfica in the Champions League quarter-final, it will likely set up a date with the German champions, who play Villarreal in their own quarter-final.
It seems inevitable that a coach of Nagelsmann’s reputation will end up in the Premier League. Why shouldn’t it be with Liverpool.
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