Liverpool 'make contact' with Jurgen Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti representatives

Anfield chiefs moving swiftly to appoint Brendan Rodgers' successor

Jurgen Klopp (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool appear to have wasted little time finding a successor to Brendan Rodgers after reports this morning claimed the club had already made contact with representatives of Jurgen Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti.

Those two managers are the clear front-runners for the job. Both are out of work and are of the calibre that would, in terms of track record, be an upgrade on the disposed Rodgers.

 

Following the announcement on Sunday that Rodgers had been fired, Liverpool stated that the process to find a new manager was "under way".

The Independent understands that Klopp is the leading contender of the two to take charge at Anfield. The German is on a sabbatical after ending a successful spell in May with Borussia Dortmund that yielded two Bundesliga titles and an appearance in the Champions League final.

The Independent's Simon Hughes explains: "As The Independent revealed last month, they were initially advised to be cautious of Klopp, a manager of unswerving demands and strong character. Yet, gradually, it seems they have warmed to the idea of recruiting him, recognising his potential as a coach with a proven track record of getting the best out of a squad where no individual is greater than the sum of its parts but also his commercial value. Klopp has a unique personality and has one of the most recognisable faces in world football."

Former Chelsea manager and three-time Champions League winner Ancelotti is also in the running, however it's thought the Italian has aspirations of managing Bayern Munich when Pep Guardiola decides to leave Bavaria. That could be as early as this summer, with both Manchester City and Manchester United potential destinations for the Catalan.

The haste of Rodgers' dismissal following the Merseyside derby suggests Liverpool are confident of finding a replacement quickly, with a new manager expected to be in charge by the time of Liverpool's next match, against Tottenham at White Hart Lane on 17 October.