BBC pundit says 41-year-old Brazilian manager could be a real option for Liverpool

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Liverpool’s new manager search has so far been focused on the same small handful of names.

While Xabi Alonso is clearly the outstanding candidate, he doesn’t look to be the only one Liverpool are looking at. Sporting’s Ruben Amorim has been heavily linked too and seems to be the alternative to Alonso.

But according to former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, there’s a new name that Liverpool should also be considering: Bologna’s Thiago Motta. Asked by the BBC’s Football Daily podcast whether the Reds should think about hiring Steven Gerrard in case Alonso is not available, Reo-Coker said that there are better options out there.

“There’s other managers out there achieving great things and playing great styles and attractive styles that you’d probably be better off going with,” said the pundit.

“When you look at Liverpool right now, you can call them Klopp’s kids, I think you probably want a manager who’s going to be good with working with some of those youngsters because they’ve already proved that they can handle it and play at that level.

“One manager I’d probably say, look at Thiago Motta, the Bologna manager right now. He’s doing well, flying with Bologna, I think he’ll be a good manager they can look at. The Sporting Lisbon manager as well, a manager a lot of people are talking about. With what he’s done at Sporting Lisbon and how he’s got Marucs Edwards playing right now.”

Liverpool told to consider Motta

As Liverpool weigh up who should come after Klopp, there is a danger of them putting all their eggs in one basket.

The clear choice is Alonso. He’s the one the fans want and the one who is marking himself as the top option with his team’s performances, too.

But Bayern Munich are also very keen on the 42-year-old. His current club, Bayer Leverkusen, are seemingly confident of Alonso staying there, too.

So, other options do have to be considered. And, thankfully, there does feel to be a clutch of suitable managers out there.

Amorim is the obvious alternative and would be an interesting appointment. But in all the scramble, it is strange that Motta’s name hasn’t come up before.

Despite being just 41, the former Brazil and Italy international is not a novice coach. Bologna is his third job in management, having already taken charge at Genoa and Spezia.

Now into his second season with I Rossoblu, Motta is exceeding all expectations. With just 10 games of the Serie A campaign to play, Bologna sit fourth spot, in the final Champions League place. Last year, they finished a respectable ninth.

That followed on from a promising single season at Spezia for Motta, who guided them to Serie A safety against the odds. He’s improving all the time.

As someone who spent years at the top level as a player, the former Barcelona, Inter Milan and PSG midfielder is well versed in the rigours of the elite game. He’s certainly one to keep an eye on. We don’t see Liverpool going for him now, but bear Motta in mind for the future.