Liverpool supporters have seen their dreams of Xabi Alonso arriving this summer to take over from Arne Slot blown into oblivion on Sunday morning.
There had been a clamour for Alonso to return at Anfield ever since his dismissal from Real Madrid in January, with many fans holding out hope that Slot would be removed in favour of the Spaniard.
However, with Liverpool seemingly keeping faith in their title-winning head coach, Alonso has officially joined Chelsea. While this does signal that Slot is likely to stay, there is still a small chance that the Dutchman is given the boot for what has been a disastrous season with the Reds.
If Xabi Alonso goes to Chelsea, who should be Liverpool’s next manager?
If the Liverpool owners do listen to their supporters and give Slot the boot, they will no longer be able to call upon Alonso, or Cesc Fabregas, who is set to stay with Como. Nevertheless, there are still three realistic options who could take charge at Anfield ahead of the new season.
The favourite: Andoni Iraola
Though Alonso would have been many fans’ choice here, there is an argument to suggest that Andoni Iraola is actually a better fit for Liverpool.
His fast-paced, attacking, energetic style of play resembles Jurgen Klopp’s, and his three years of experience as a Premier League manager also mark him out as a strong candidate.
Iraola will leave Bournemouth this summer, and with the Chelsea and Manchester United jobs now off the table, he may have his eyes on linking up with Richard Hughes once again at Liverpool.
The hipster choice: Sebastian Hoeness
If Liverpool want to return to a ‘heavy metal’ vision of football – in line with Mohamed Salah’s latest calls – then Sebastian Hoeness would be a good addition.
Iraola may still be seen as the safest bet to implement a more favourable style for the Anfield crowd to enjoy, but Hoeness is another clear option.
Having led Stuttgart into the Champions League for the second time in three years, all while playing an exciting, high-pressing style of play, it is surely only a matter of time before the 44-year-old joins one of football’s elite clubs.
Hoeness has recently claimed that he is ‘fully committed’ to Stuttgart ahead of the end of the season, and though he has a contract until 2028, Liverpool coming in for him would surely test the German’s loyalty.
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The outside shot: Francesco Farioli
If Liverpool do sack Slot, they will need to be completely certain that their next appointment will be a guarantee of success.
That may make it unlikely that they go for a young coach such as Porto’s Francesco Farioli, but after a really impressive management career so far, the 37-year-old should still be in the conversation.
Despite his youth, Farioli has already taken charge of four clubs in four different countries, progressing at every step along the way.
Having narrowly missed out on the Eredivisie title with Ajax last year, the Italian went one better in 2025/26, winning the Primeira Liga in charge of Porto.
Having conceded just 18 goals during the league season, Farioli’s team is defensively sound, but having been Roberto De Zerbi’s assistant at Sassuolo, he is very well versed in the art of attacking football, too. Porto will not want to lose him, but Farioli is on a path to the top of the game, and Liverpool could bet on his potential for a long-term stay.
Are there other candidates?
Realistically, these three managers should now be top of Liverpool’s considerations if they do sack Slot. If the Dutchman hangs on but is relieved of his duties next year, it also would not be a surprise to see any of them join, unless Iraola secures a job in the meantime.
There are other candidates such as Oliver Glasner and Julian Nagelsmann, but Glasner is perhaps not of the level required having finished in the bottom half of the Premier League again with Crystal Palace, while Nagelsmann will be at the World Cup with Germany.
Dream targets like Luis Enrique or, even more unrealistically, Jurgen Klopp are not coming this summer. But perhaps if Liverpool wait the door to Enrique will open up in 2027.
Should a vacancy arrive at Anfield there will be plenty of other managers who throw their hats into the ring, and the Reds could make an unexpected choice as they did with Slot two years ago. For now, though, Iraola, Hoeness and Farioli would be our ones to watch.
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