The former England and Liverpool defender believes the Reds should consider replacing Jurgen Klopp with Gareth Southgate “if he is available” after this summer’s European Championship
- Liverpool were encouraged to replace Jurgen Klopp with Gareth Southgate
- The former Reds and England defender believes the 53-year-old should be considered
- Ian Ladyman: Why I’m glad England lost to Brazil – listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast
According to the former England and Liverpool defender, Liverpool should consider bringing in Gareth Southgate in the summer to replace Jurgen Klopp as manager.
In January, the German manager announced he would be leaving Anfield at the end of the season after nine years, sparking huge speculation about who could replace him on the touchline.
Southgate is expected to lead the Three Lions at Euro 2024 in June and July, but the 53-year-old’s future with the national team has always been uncertain and he may move to another job after the European Championships.
Former defender Glen Johnson, who made 200 appearances for Liverpool and was capped 54 times by England, has spoken about Southgate’s future in a new interview.
Johnson told Betfred: “It’s awkward to talk about it because you don’t want to be involved in a big tournament and speculating on whether the England manager will go elsewhere.”
According to the former star, Liverpool should consider hiring Gareth Southgate as manager
Jurgen Klopp leaves Anfield at the end of the season after nine years, creating a vacancy
Glen Johnson, who played 54 games for England, believes the Reds should consider Southgate
Referring to Liverpool, Johnson said: “If he is available in the summer, all options have to be considered. He did a great job in England, so there’s no reason why he couldn’t succeed at a club like Liverpool when he’s playing against players of a similar level.
– You’d have to talk because you can’t just fire him if he’s available.
With the Euros scheduled for June 14-July 10, Liverpool, or any other club, would have limited time to use Southgate before pre-season really begins.
Three years ago, Southgate led England to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020, beating Italy on penalties.
Xabi Alonso is widely linked with the upcoming vacancy at Liverpool, but the Bayer Leverkusen coach is also closely followed by Bayern Munich, which is looking for a new manager in the summer and is sure that it will manage to find one.
Johnson said he would like Alonso to manage Liverpool one day, but added:I think someone should take care of Jurgen Klopp and take the bullet first.
I know it sounds terrible and brutal, but there is no chance that anyone next will be better than Jürgen and that is a testament to the team he has built at Liverpool.
Southgate’s future with England was always in doubt ahead of Euro 2024
Johnson wants Xabi Alonso to manage Liverpool one day, but not immediately
Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim are other names linked with the Liverpool job.
England play Belgium in a friendly at Wembley on Tuesday evening, before preparations for Euro 2024 begin in June, with matches against Bosnia and Iceland before the first match against Serbia on June 16.
