Klopp linked to Liverpool job as Rodgers fights for his life
Pressure mounts on Anfield manager as popular German says he would like the role
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who was forced to admit that he could lose his job after Liverpool's dire end to the season, could be ousted in favour of Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp this summer.
The German manager "has turned up the heat" on Rodgers by "telling friends he would be interested in managing Liverpool", reports Metro.
Klopp will leave Dortmund after seven years in charge this weekend, following his side's German cup final against Wolfsburg.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
For Rodgers the season is already over, and it ended with a 6-1 capitulation to Stoke in what was Liverpool's worst performance in a league match for decades. That result, after a season of underachievment, left Rodgers in as vulnerable a position as he has been since taking over in 2012. His side has failed to gel despite the arrival of £100m in new talent last summer, while Steven Gerrard has left the club and Raheem Sterling has turned down a new contract.
When Klopp announced that he was leaving Borussia Dortmund earlier in the season it was believed he would take a break from football. But The Sun reports that he has "scrapped plans to take six months off" and is now interested in taking over at Anfield.
"The news puts serious pressure on Rodgers and will also give Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group food for thought," adds the paper. Rodgers is due to meet Liverpool's owners next week and must convince them he is still the man to lead the club.
"Rodgers was expected to survive," says the Sun. "But that was before Klopp entered the frame."
Liverpool fans have had their say, and appear to want a new hand on the tiller. An online poll on the Daily Mirror website found that 88 per cent of them would like to see Klopp, previously linked with Arsenal and Bayern Munich, take over the reins at Anfield.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The mental health crisis affecting vets
Under The Radar Death of Hampshire vet highlights mental health issues plaguing the industry
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
English football and the etiquette of leaving the stadium early
Talking Point The belief that 'true fans stay to the end' does not always apply
By The Week UK Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published
-
Liverpool 7 Man Utd 0: ‘welcome to Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool 2.0’
feature Anfield’s ‘new front three’ were on fire in the humbling of their bitter rivals
By Mike Starling Published