Jose Mourinho is being considered as a possible replacement for Jurgen Klopp. The former manager of Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur is presently without a club. Nottingham Forest has faced criticism for three questionable decisions, as discussed on the It's All Kicking Off podcast.
17:23 BST, April 23, 2024 | Last Updated: 17:28 BST, April 23, 2024
Dietmar Hamann suggests that Jose Mourinho, the former manager of Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur, could be the ideal candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool in the summer.
Speculation has been rife about who will succeed Klopp after his surprising decision to depart Anfield at the end of the season, concluding his nine-year tenure at the club.
Initially, Bayer Leverkusen manager and Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso was considered the frontrunner for the position before opting to prolong his tenure in Germany following their Bundesliga triumph.
Ruben Amorim, the manager of Sporting Lisbon, who has also been associated with West Ham, has been mentioned as another potential option. However, former Liverpool player Dietmar Hamann believes that Mourinho could also be considered.
Mourinho, 61, is presently without a club after his dismissal from Roma in January. He has expressed a strong desire to resume his managerial career at the earliest opportunity.
Dietmar Hamann suggests that Jose Mourinho might be the ideal candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Mourinho has faced Liverpool while managing Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea in the past.
Mourinho has previously experienced Premier League title triumphs with Chelsea and secured European honors while at Manchester United. However, his recent tenure at Tottenham saw some challenges. Hamann cautions Liverpool to brace for a challenging transition post-Klopp's departure. Yet, he highlights Mourinho's resilience, noting that the Portuguese manager, who observed Liverpool's victory at Craven Cottage on Sunday, would likely approach the task unfazed.
"That's a valid observation. I admire Mourinho. He won't be daunted by following Klopp. Some managers may hesitate, claiming it's their dream job but following Klopp is too daunting," Hamann expressed via GOAL.
"We've witnessed what happened at Manchester United after Fergie's departure. The more I consider it, the more I can envision Mourinho stepping in for a season or two.
"Clubs often outline five or eight-year plans, yet managers depart after six months, so it's a day-to-day affair, and the future remains uncertain.
"If you bring him in and say, 'Develop the young talents, and if we finish sixth next season, that's acceptable because we'll have a strong team with many homegrown players in a year or two,' then it's acceptable.
"But it wouldn't make sense to appoint someone for five years, invest in players worth over 100 million, only to finish fifth or sixth – that's not acceptable," he concluded.
Mourinho was present in the stands observing as Liverpool secured a 3-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Former Liverpool player Dietmar Hamann suggests that Mourinho could be the perfect successor for Klopp.
Klopp is poised to depart Liverpool at the conclusion of the season, following his unexpected announcement of his departure.
Klopp has amassed an impressive nine major titles during his remarkable tenure at Liverpool, including clinching the club's first Premier League title and securing their sixth Champions League trophy.
Similarly, Mourinho boasts an illustrious managerial record, having clinched the Premier League title three times at Chelsea on two separate occasions, in addition to securing the FA Cup and Europa League title with Manchester United.
Given Mourinho's track record of success in European football, he emerges as a strong contender to succeed Klopp at Liverpool, as noted by Hamann: "You need someone who isn't daunted by the prospect of following Klopp – someone who has a proven track record of success and is adored by both the club and the city. From that perspective, Mourinho might not be a bad choice. However, it's crucial to ensure that youth development is prioritized. If talented youngsters are given opportunities, I'm confident Mourinho will recognize their potential and provide them with playing time."