Over the summer, had you told any Liverpool fan that Arne Slot would be under pressure, they likely would have laughed in your face. Fresh off winning the Premier League during the Dutchman’s debut campaign, the Reds spent heavily on reinforcing their squad with elite players, including Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Hugo Ekitike.

But a season is a long time in football, and the situation at Anfield has deteriorated rapidly. A shadow of their title-winning side last season, the Merseysiders are now fifth in the table, 20 points behind league leaders Arsenal, and Slot is under growing pressure.

Should the now-not-so-unthinkable happen and Slot is shown the door, there will be a queue of managers waiting to take the reins. But who are the favourites to replace the current Liverpool boss? Sky Bet have compiled the managers with the best oddsto show exactly who is leading the charge.

22 Ruben Amorim

Odds – 28/1

ruben amorim

Highly unlikely by virtue of the fact that his 14-month tenure at Manchester United only recently came to an end, Ruben Amorim has been given odds of 28/1 by SkyBet. At Old Trafford, the Portuguese replaced Erik ten Hag and promised the ‘good times were coming’ after finishing 15th in the league last season… spoiler alert: they did not.

Brutally honest in front of the media, Amorim won plenty of titles with Sporting CP in his homeland of Portugal, but his being wedded to a 3-4-3 system (which struggled in England’s top flight) was a large attribute to things not making sense.

Liverpool are unlikely to take such a monumental risk, of course, and his substandard spell at United would put them off. That’s even if he was eyed as a potential Jurgen Klopp replacement before the under-pressure Slot was appointed.

21 Roberto De Zerbi

Odds – 25/1

roberto de zerbi

New Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi is among the contenders despite having only just been appointed by the north London club. While Liverpool steamrolled his Marseille team 3-0 in this season’s Champions League, the Italian is still a highly rated tactician.

His odds of 25/1 suggest he won’t be leaving Spurs already to take up the Anfield home dugout, but he was reportedly under consideration before Slot got the job. De Zerbi is notoriously opinionated and has clashed with his owners before, which may put FSG off.

20 Ange Postecoglou

Odds – 25/1

ange postecoglou

On a similar theme, Ange Postecogloureplacing the Dutchman at the Anfield helm seems very unlikely given how poorly his Tottenham Hotspur spell ended. Winning the Europa League in 2024/25 was not enough for Spurs’ higher-ups to give the Greek-Australian extra time to turn things around – and he was relieved of his duties despite finding success on the European stage.

Things were not all sunshine and rainbows under Postecoglou and his following spell at Nottingham Forest lasted just 39 days. Now without work, the Reds could pounce on the 60-year-old’s free agency.

That said, the fact Spurs finished 17th (just adrift of the relegation spots) last season proves that he may not have the expertise and nous required to manage in the Premier League. A team in the English top flight will eventually give him another crack at the whip, but it’s unlikely to be Liverpool, who are much more planned in their manager appointments.

19 Mauricio Pochettino

Odds – 25/1

United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout

The current manager of the United States national team, Mauricio Pochettino, has great experience in the Premier League, having managed Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in his career – so why not return to England to get the reigning champions back on track?

The Argentine has also led Paris Saint-Germain to Ligue 1 glory, but is now in the international game and has guided his side to the 2026 World Cup this summer. While he has a great reputation, there’s no doubting that he would be a real outside shot for the job at this stage, with all things considered, and it should be considered highly unlikely that either party will push to make it happen.

18 Thomas Frank

Odds – 16/1

Thomas Frank

Thomas Frank’s stocks were incredibly high during his impressive stint at Brentford. The Dane transformed the Bees from a Championship outfit to an established Premier League club with limited resources and some huge teams were circling as a result.

His name being in the conversation to be the next Liverpool manager wouldn’t have been the biggest shock in the world 12 months ago, but an ill-fated spell with Tottenham has seen Frank’s reputation plummet. After all, he did leave the Big Six club in a relegation scrap.

17 Francesco Farioli

Odds – 16/1

Francesco Farioli watches on

Francesco Farioli is currently working in Portugal as the head coach of Primeira Liga club Porto. The Italian manager is still only 37 but has already taken charge of Alanyaspor, Nice, Ajax, and now Porto.

Francesco Farioli’s coaching style is said to be influenced by the aforementioned De Zerbi, which may explain why he’s on the list as a possible Liverpool target. Porto are currently top of the league in Portugal, ahead of Benfica by four points​​​​​​. If Farioli can win his first major trophy there, bigger clubs, such as the Reds, may soon come in for him.

16 Diego Simeone

Odds – 16/1

Diego Simeone

If any club are looking for a manager who knows the sport back-to-front, look no further than Atletico Madrid legend Diego Simeone, who has managed the Spanish giants since December 2011. Neither party has looked back after more than 750 matches of service, but the Argentine could look for a fresh challenge after so many years in the Spanish capital.

Capable of taking on a monumental venture such as the Liverpool job, Simeone may be tactically sound but his defensive-minded approach to football matches may not go down too well with the Anfield faithful. Irrespective of whether he’d sing from the same hymn sheet as those in the stands, he’s been issued odds of 16/1.

15 Brendan Rodgers

Odds – 16/1

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers watching on from the touchline

Only just in a new job after finding himself at loggerheads with the Celtic owners during his second stint with the Glasgow giants, a return to Liverpool for Brendan Rodgers would arguably be the most incredible turn of events the club has seen in its recent history – and not necessarily for good reasons.

The Northern Irishman has already had one bite of the cherry, and other than a second-placed finish in the 2013/14 season, his stint was pretty unremarkable. Who knows what he would manage with the current squad and extra backing, but Liverpool supporters will surely take on the opinion that this era of the club is better left in the past.

14 Cesc Fabregas

Odds – 16/1

CESC FABREGAS

Currently working wonders at the recently-formed Como 1907, who, against all odds, are sitting fifth in the Serie A table, Cesc Fabregas might be the hottest manager in world football right now. Tactically innovative, and with the hunger that comes with those new to management, it surely won’t be long before he’s snapped up by a bigger club.

But could that be Liverpool who take something of a chance on the former midfielder? The job at Anfield, at odds of 16/1, might just come too early for him, though. With the Reds needing a solution, taking a punt on a relatively inexperienced head coach might prove to be enough to turn their focus elsewhere.

13 Xavi

Odds – 14/1

xavi hernandez barcelona

The legendary midfielder has won league titles in Qatar and Spain, with his beloved Barcelona, and is currently a free agent after departing the Camp Nou in May 2024 following a bust-up with the board. Pouncing on Xavi Hernandez‘s free agency could be a wise decision by Anfield bosses.

Known for his possession-heavy style of play and attack-minded process, he would likely be a popular appointment at Anfield, and it has been reported that he would be open to a move to England for his next job.

However, whether his lack of experience at the highest level as a manager would count against him remains to be seen, and with the club’s biggest issue being their balance across the team, a shift in identity at this stage could be a problem the board would rather do without.

12 Simone Inzaghi

Odds – 14/1

Simone Inzaghi Inter

After reaching the Champions League final last season with Inter Milan, the seasoned Simone Inzaghi made the move to the Middle East in the summer of 2025, but a return to one of Europe’s elite clubs could potentially be too good to turn down.

Known for a more pragmatic style, the Italian would undoubtedly bring some solidity to Anfield’s defence to solve their recent issues, while his teams always provide a threat going forward.

It would be a big surprise to see him leave Saudi Arabia so early into his reign there, but Liverpool don’t come calling often, so it’s certainly one to look out for after he entered the market at 14/1.

11 Steven Gerrard

Odds – 14/1

steven gerrard liverpool

Mr Liverpool himself, former club captain Steven Gerrard, is currently a free agent in the managerial market and has recently admitted that he is looking for his next job and that a return to Anfield would undoubtedly be a fairytale for all involved.

Gerrard won the league at Rangers before ill-fated spells with Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia, but his connection to the Reds would surely make the role impossible for him to turn down if it were offered to him, and it could be one the fans are clamouring for as they look for a reason to believe once again.

A temporary spell in charge until the end of the season could be ideal for everyone involved. Previously, Gerrard – widely regarded as one of Liverpool’s greatest-ever players – had been priced at 25/1, but he’s now dropped all the way to 14/1, so there is surely something to keep an eye on here.

10 Xabi Alonso

Odds – 12/1

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso reacts

As soon as it was confirmed that Xabi Alonso had left Real Madrid, he became the favourite for the Anfield hotseat. However, the Reds have more than likely missed the boat completely with his move to Chelsea being confirmed.

He led Bayer Leverkusen to a more-than-memorable Bundesliga title, and although he had a short-lived spell with Los Blancos, they have they did show glimpses of good football, and his CV so early into his managerial career would suggest he has the ingredients to become a world-class head coach.

Zinedine Zidane

Odds – 12/1

Zinedine Zidane

Zinedine Zidane

As one of the greatest players of all time, one thing that Zinedine Zidane would do is command the respect of all players in his squad. But, arguably even more importantly, he would bring a winning mentality. The former France international won two league titles during his first spell at Real Madrid, as well as three consecutive Champions League trophies – quite the resume.

To make matters even more interesting, Zidane remains out of work, having not managed since leaving Los Blancos in May 2021. And he’s spoken about his admiration for Liverpool’s stadium, stating that Anfield was the best stadium that he played in. It feels like it could be the perfect opportunity for the 53-year-old to return to coaching.

Unai Emery

Odds – 10/1

Unai Emery

Having taken over from Liverpool legend Gerrard at Aston Villa, Unai Emery has developed into one of Europe’s top coaches and would surely be a name considered by the board at Anfield if Slot were to leave. The Spaniard has had big success in Europe with Sevilla and Villarreal in the past, while he has plenty of experience in the Premier League too.

But his pragmatic style is one that tends to lend itself more to the underdog, and Liverpool fans would surely question if he is the right man to take them forward in the long run after his ill-fated stint at Arsenal. Villa would also push hard to keep him at the club, and it may not be worth the hassle to get him out in mid-season, meaning the club would push for an alternative option instead.

Marco Silva

Odds – 10/1

Marco Silva

The Premier League-proven boss, Marco Silva, has garnered a great reputation after doing a top job in west London on the books of Fulham, but the former Watford and Everton boss is largely untested at the very top level.

The Portuguese coach is out of contract at Craven Cottage in the summer, although GMS understands that he has been offered a new deal.

It could be relatively cheap to get him to Anfield now, but whether he would leave before the season ends remains to be seen, and there would be major question marks from the fan base if he was selected to take over the struggling reigning champions, considering his CV.

Oliver Glasner

Odds – 9/1

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner watching on

If Slot is fired, the most logical appointment for Liverpool to make is arguably Oliver Glasner. Since arriving at Crystal Palace in 2024, the Austrian manager has brought a new lease of life to an Eagles side which sometimes lacked inspiration under Roy Hodgson.

He’s the mastermind behind two of Palace’s most incredible achievements in recent memory, winning the FA Cup in 2025 before beating Liverpool back at Wembley to win the Community Shield.

However, what makes him one of the favourites for the job is his availability. Glasner’s future at Selhurst Park remains uncertain, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season, meaning that his head could be turned should Liverpool come knocking. If Slot does go, then watch this space.

Jurgen Klopp

Odds – 17/2

Jurgen Klopp

If you were going to appoint someone who knows the club well, it would make sense to move for Jurgen Klopp. The German manager enjoyed a phenomenal nine-season spell at Anfield, turning the Reds into one of the best teams in both England and Europe, as they lifted a sixth Champions League and a first Premier League in 20 years.

What makes this potential appointment even more enticing is that the 58-year-old recently refused to rule out taking charge of his former club again in an interview.

He told The Diary of a CEO podcast: “I said I will never coach a different team in England, so that means, if [I did return], then it’s Liverpool. So, yeah, theoretically it is possible.” That has put his odds at 17/2, although it would be remarkable to see him back at Anfield so soon after leaving.

Julian Nagelsmann

Odds – 6/1

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann biting his nails

Julian Nagelsmann was considered by the club’s hierarchy when they were searching for a successor to the aforementioned Klopp. However, the German elected to remain at his post with the German national side.

The former RB Leipzig boss has often received rave reviews for his tactical intelligence, attracting interest from multiple clubs through the years. So, should Liverpool need someone who can incorporate Wirtz, Isak, Ekitike and Mohamed Salah into one team, then Nagelsmann could very well be the man they need.

Unfortunately for the Reds, he signed a contract extension with Die Mannschaft in January 2025, which will keep him in his current post until the end of Euro 2028.

Sebastian Hoeness

Odds – 9/2

 Stuttgart manager Sebastian Hoeness

Liverpool had great success when they looked to German football before hiring Jurgen Klopp and they may aim to repeat the trick here as Sebastian Hoeness is among the current favourites to replace Slot. The 43-year-old is currently head coach for Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart.

Hoeness worked at Hoffenheim before, and his first job was in charge of Bayern Munich II (the reserves). Since taking over at Stuttgart in 2023, however, he’s impressed plenty. Most notably, he won the 2025 DFB-Pokal, which was the club’s first trophy since winning the 2006/07 Bundesliga title. His side is overperforming again in 2026, as they currently sit fourth in the league.

Andoni Iraola

Odds – 4/1

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola watching on from the touchline

Should Liverpool wish to appoint a current Premier League manager, then Andoni Iraola is certainly likely to be on their shortlist. The Spanish head coach has turned Bournemouth into a fearsome side for English teams, with them playing an exciting brand of football and picking up results against clubs much bigger in stature.

Presently, the Cherries are flying despite losing key players during the summer transfer window, including starting centre-backs Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi. Iraola currently has odds of 7/1 to move to Liverpool, but even if that doesn’t happen, it feels as though it’s a matter of time until another behemoth pinches him.

Luis Enrique

Odds – 7/2

luis enrique psg

Reports emerged recently that Luis Enrique was considering his next move after being offered a record-breaking contract at Paris Saint-Germain. Of course, the Spaniard’s mind will be fully focused on retaining the Champions League crown, but could Liverpool tempt him away in the summer?

There’s little doubt the club will have looked in Enrique’s direction in the past, and his impressive spell in France has solidified him as one of the world’s best managers. The ex-Barcelona coach would be an incredible appointment, and his odds have improved significantly in recent weeks.

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