Next Liverpool Manager Odds: Alonso Backed After Madrid Exit
Liverpool’s managerial landscape has been reshaped after former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso was sacked by Real Madrid, following a 3–2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Alonso’s tenure at the Bernabeu failed to build on his impressive Bundesliga and German Cup success and ended after just over seven months in charge.
Betting sites have made the Spaniard the 5/4 favourite to take over at Liverpool should the managerial position become available.
Arne Slot, who guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut season, had come under scrutiny this term due to inconsistent results and pressure from fans and pundits alike.
Recent improvements in form had temporarily eased the spotlight on the Dutchman, but Alonso’s sudden availability has reignited speculation about change at Anfield.
With Alonso now free and odds shortened dramatically, all eyes are on whether Liverpool’s hierarchy might pivot towards the club legend amid an unpredictable Premier League campaign.
Alonso A Fan Favourite
Alonso has long been a popular figure with Liverpool supporters, so it is little surprise that he is the strong favourite in the next Liverpool manager betting market.
The former midfielder spent five seasons at Anfield between 2004 and 2009, winning the Champions League, FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup while establishing himself as a genuine fan favourite.
The Spaniard’s managerial reputation soared at Bayer Leverkusen, where he delivered an unbeaten Bundesliga title and domestic double before earning a three-year deal as Real Madrid head coach in June 2025.
Despite being just four points behind Barcelona in La Liga and still in a good position in the Champions League, Madrid decided to relieve him of his duties, possibly opening up a route back to Anfield for the 44-year-old.
Klopp To The Rescue?
Jurgen Klopp, currently the head of global football with Red Bull, is a best-priced 7/2 with some betting apps to make what would be a sensational return to the club.
The German, also being linked with the Real Madrid vacancy, oversaw a golden era during his spell at Anfield, delivering the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup and Club World Cup while rebuilding the club into a modern powerhouse.
His departure was framed as a break rather than a farewell, and many fans believe unfinished business remains after nearly a decade of transformation.
Klopp’s connection with the city, the players and the fanbase is unlike anything Liverpool have experienced in the modern era, and he would provide an instant lift in mood for supporters.
It would be a romantic reunion, but is the 58-year-old really ready for a return to management?
Glasner A Wanted Man
It might be a case of 'if you can't beat 'em, ask them to join you' for the Liverpool board - if they decide to make a change of manager.
Oliver Glasner was unbeaten in all four meetings with the Reds in 2025 in the league, Community Shield and the Carabao Cup.
Oliver Glasner's Last Four Games Against Liverpool:
Competition | Date | Fixture | ||
PL | May 25 | Liverpool | 1-1 | C Palace |
CS | Aug 10 | C Palace* | 2-2 | Liverpool |
PL | Sept 27 | C Palace | 2-1 | Liverpool |
LC | Oct 29 | Liverpool | 0-3 | C Palace |
(* won on penalties; PL - Premier League, CS - Community Shield, LC - Carabao Cup)
Glasner has done an outstanding job at Palace, guiding them to the club's first-ever major trophy, which qualified them for this season's Europa Conference League.
Things have taken a turn for the worse recently, with the Eagles having slipped to 13th in the table and out of the FA Cup after a humiliating defeat to non-league side Macclesfield.
The Austrian may feel he has brought the club as far as he can at this stage, and is just 4/1 to take the reins at Anfield.
Iraola Deserves To Be Discussed
Andoni Iraola is another Premier League manager in demand. Despite losing the majority of his defence in the summer, Iraola has managed to keep Bournemouth competitive.
The Cherries have struggled for form lately, dropping to 15th in the table, and will now need to move forward without their star man, Antoine Semenyo, who has moved to Manchester City.
Despite this, Iraola’s stock has risen considerably since joining from Rayo Vallecano in 2023, and Liverpool would almost certainly have him on their shortlist in the event of Slot leaving.
The 43-year-old is priced at 8/1 to get the job.
Next Liverpool Manager Odds:
Manager | Odds | Betting Site |
Xabi Alonso | 5/4 | |
Jurgen Klopp | 7/2 | |
Oliver Glasner | 4/1 | |
Andoni Iraola | 8/1 | |
Julian Nagelsmann | 10/1 | |
Unai Emery | 12/1 | |
Steven Gerrard | 12/1 | |
Diego Simeone | 20/1 | |
Simone Inzaghi | 20/1 | |
Zinedine Zidane | 22/1 |
* Odds correct at time of publication, 2.30pm, 13/1/26.
Nagelsmann Offers Big Club Experience
Although the likes of Glasner and Iraola are fantastic coaches, neither has experience managing an elite club like Liverpool.
Julian Nagelsmann does. The 38-year-old's spell in charge of Bayern Munich ended poorly, but he is undoubtedly a better manager because of that experience.
Nagelsmann is getting ready to lead Germany at this summer’s World Cup, but he will be eyeing a return to the club game in the near future.
The former RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim coach was 16/1 to replace Slot, but has now been backed into 10/1 with Bet365.
Gerrard To Take The Reins?
The wheels have fallen off of Steven Gerrard's managerial career, but could he be given a chance to turn it around at his beloved Liverpool?
At 12/1, the club legend has his supporters, but does he have the quality to take over a club of the Reds' size?
The former captain did a great job at Rangers, but he disappointed at Aston Villa and has been out of work since leaving Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq in January 2025.
He turned down the chance to return to Rangers earlier in the season, but taking over at Liverpool would be too good to turn down, even on an interim basis.
Emery A Serial Winner
Despite being 12/1, Unai Emery’s credentials are hard to ignore - he’s lifted four Europa League trophies and won multiple domestic titles with Paris Saint-Germain in France.
Since taking over at Aston Villa in October 2022, he has steadied a struggling side and then oversaw a seventh-place finish in the 2022/23 season, followed by a fourth-place finish in 2023/24.
That top-four finish delivered Villa their first return to Europe’s elite competition in over four decades, and they currently sit third in the table, level on points with Man City, and six points behind leaders Arsenal.
If Liverpool opt for a seasoned rebuilder rather than a hot prospect, Emery would be a standout contender.
Inzaghi In The Mix
Simone Inzaghi (20/1) would bring a heavyweight CV to Anfield if Liverpool were to turn to him.
The Italian won six major trophies with Inter Milan – including the 2023/24 Serie A title, two Coppa Italia triumphs and three Supercoppa Italiana wins – and also guided them to Champions League finals in 2023 and 2025.
He is now in charge of Saudi giants Al-Hilal on a lucrative two-year deal signed in June 2025, which would make his appointment an expensive and complicated move.
Simeone And Zidane Classy Outsiders
Diego Simeone (20/1) remains one of Europe’s most respected managers, having transformed Atletico Madrid across a 14-year spell into perennial contenders at home and in Europe.
His trophy haul - including two La Liga titles and two Europa Leagues - underlines the pedigree he would bring to any club.
Zinedine Zidane (22/1) boasts an equally impressive record, having won three consecutive Champions League titles during his first spell at Real Madrid.
If Liverpool opt for a world-class coach with experience at an elite club, both Simeone and Zidane stand out as credible alternatives in the market.
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