Liverpool’s manager hunt is continuing to take twists and turns.
It all started with Xabi Alonso, but he then ruled himself out after winning a historic Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen.
You could argue that was probably the popular choice amongst the Liverpool fans.
But fast forward to the present and the powers that be at Anfield might end up replacing Jurgen Klopp with someone who divides opinion.
‘Brave’ rather than ‘popular’. They are the keywords that seem to be bandied about in Liverpool’s search for a new manager.
Many names have been touted. Arne Slot has got a strong mention in recent days. Roberto De Zerbi is being linked across many European jobs.
Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim is another name on many people’s lists, Wolves’ Gary O’Neil has also come into the conversation, as well as Unai Emery before he signed a new contract at Aston Villa on Tuesday.
Take your pick Liverpool fans because, the next man through the door, might have a lot of convincing to do when he arrives.
Darren Bent was reacting to the suggestion that it could be O’Neil at Wolves, before quickly highlighting the mistake Chelsea made with Graham Potter last season, as he told talkSPORT.
The former striker doesn’t think the 40-year-old would be ready for the Anfield gig, even if he couldn’t turn it down, and how he ‘knows the club’ from his days of working with the academy.
Gary O’Neil Liverpool’s next manager?
“Not yet,” responded Bent to the O’Neil rumours. “He was there, part of the academy staff, wasn’t he?! So, he knows the club well, Gary O’Neil.
“I do think that’s a big jump, Gary O’Neil. He hasn’t been in management that long, so he is still a novice. Going to one of the biggest clubs in the world ‘ooof’. I am not saying he isn’t good enough to do it, because he is proving to be a good coach, but I think if they offer you the role, then you can’t turn it down because it may never come again.
“But you have to be ready for that type of jump. We have seen managers, Graham Potter, who I waxed lyrical about for so long, goes to Chelsea and struggled. I am not quite sure how Liverpool fans would look at that and go ‘yeah, excitement’. I think, after Jurgen Klopp, they need someone with a bit of stability.”
Gary O’Neil should stay at Wolves
Look, if Michael Edwards is going to be ‘brave’ in picking the next Liverpool boss and take a big risk, then kudos to him.
Fortune favours the brave, at the end of the day.
But there also needs to be a sense of realism and perspective here. A man like O’Neil simply isn’t ready for a gig like Liverpool.
You sense that the man they replace Klopp with needs some sort of experience at a high level, or ideally, a proven record of winning trophies.