Liverpool legend and Man Utd veteran in frame for Anfield job

With new signings James Milner and Danny Ings on board, Liverpool's rebuilding programme has switched focus to the backroom staff as Brendan Rodgers looks for a new assistant manager and coach.

Although Rodgers kept his job after meeting Liverpool's American owners last week, his assistants Colin Pascoe and Mike Marsh were not so lucky and the Reds are now on the lookout for new blood.

Rodgers has accepted "the need to recruit a proven top-level coach following the team's disappointing sixth-placed finish", says the Daily Telegraph, although it points out that the manager has lost two key lieutenants. "While the backroom changes appear to have left Rodgers isolated and with his position weakened, Liverpool have maintained that the decision was mutually agreed by FSG and Rodgers," it says.

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Among those in the frame to take over are former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia, still a popular figure at Anfield; Pako Ayestaran, who was assistant to Rafa Benitez for the first three years of his reign; and, rather more controversially, Rene Meulensteen, who was first team coach at Manchester United for five years and has criticised Rodgers in the past.

Sami Hyypia:

The Finnish defender spent ten seasons at Anfield before leaving for Bayer Leverkusen in 2009. He took over as manager of the German club, but was sacked in April 2014. He then joined Championship side Brighton but did not prosper on the south coast and resigned late last year.

He "remains a hugely popular figure among Liverpool fans and would relish the opportunity to return", says The Times.

When asked about the possibility of rejoining Liverpool he said: "It would be great to work for a club which I love. I would definitely be interested if Liverpool think I could help them.

"My rise in management was rapid and I have been thinking a lot about things while I have been out. If there were no interesting opportunities as a manager, then I would be ready to be an assistant. That sort of role would give me a lot of experience; it wouldn't be a problem for me."

Pako Ayestaran:

The Spaniard was number two to Rafa Benitez between 2004 and 2007, and later took the role of assistant manager at Benfica and Valencia before striking out on his own with Mexican side Estudiantes Tecos. He spent last season in Israel where he managed Maccabi Tel Aviv to a historic treble, the first to be achieved in Israel.

"The 52-year-old has already told Maccabi he will not return next year and he has always kept close links with Merseyside since his departure, following the breakdown in his relationship with Benitez," reports the Liverpool Echo.

The Telegraph says he is "keen" to return to Anfield, but the Echo is not so sure. "It is understood he wishes to continue as a manager in his own right, while Liverpool have not yet made any approach to Ayestaran or held any discussions with him," it reported at the weekend.

Rene Meulensteen:

A move for the former Fulham boss "would prove controversial" says the Telegraph. He spent more than a decade working under Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in a variety of roles and also criticised Rodgers last November, when he said the Reds manager's "biggest failure is that he's not invested in his staff".

His Man United links may make him unpopular with some fans, but there is no doubt he was a success at Old Trafford. In his second stint there, working with the first team from 2007 to 2013, he won four league titles, the Champions League, two League Cups, three Community Shields and the Fifa World Club Cup.