BREAKING NEWS: Liverpool are being urged to forget about former midfielder Xabi Alonso and instead appoint a manager with a “promising” 32% win rate in the Premier League. While Alonso is thought to be a “loved figure” at Anfield, it is believed that he lacks the experience needed to manage a top club. Instead, Liverpool are being urged to “cast their net wide” and consider a “more alluring” option. A ‘Promising’ Prospect – Liverpool Urged to Appoint ‘Alluring’ 32% Win Rate Manager – Is Alonso a ‘Bad Fit”.
Should Liverpool opt to bring Richard Hughes on board as their sporting director, it could trigger a series of changes, including the appointment of a new Premier League manager to succeed Jurgen Klopp.
This summer promises significant upheaval for Liverpool, with a new manager, sporting director, and backroom staff set to usher in a fresh era at the club. Reports are circulating regarding potential targets for the role of sporting director, with the latest focus on Bournemouth’s Hughes, who is poised to depart the Cherries at the conclusion of the season. Hughes has played a pivotal role in Bournemouth’s resurgence this season, facilitating deals for players such as Andoni Iraola, Dominic Solanke, Lloyd Kelly, and Alex Scott, all of whom have become regulars. Notably, he has a track record of successful signings, including Tyrone Mings, Callum Wilson, and Nathan Ake, whom he subsequently sold for profit. The Daily Mail has identified Hughes as a target for Liverpool.
In terms of Hughes’s potential influence on the managerial front, journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has suggested that Hughes holds a strong admiration for Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, who is reportedly on Liverpool’s shortlist to succeed Klopp. Di Marzio speculates that Hughes may advocate for De Zerbi’s appointment if he joins Liverpool, citing comments made to German publication Wettfreunde. According to Di Marzio, “Liverpool will be getting a Sporting Director which is likely to be Richard Hughes from Bournemouth, and he’s a fan of Roberto De Zerbi. A big, big fan.” However, De Zerbi’s decision could hinge on his ability to implement his preferred style of play with the players he desires, regardless of the club’s stature or financial resources. Xabi Alonso is the frontrunner to succeed Klopp, although Liverpool faces competition from Bayern Munich, who are eyeing him as a replacement for the departing Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season.
