Liverpool and FSG have been working rebuilding their backroom structure in recent months, following the shocking announcement that Jurgen Klopp would leave Anfield in the summer.
FSG has named Michael Edwards as their new Football CEO, and he has secured the signing of Richard Hughes as Liverpool’s new sports director, effective this summer.
However, the biggest upheaval for supporters will be in the Liverpool dugout, where the Reds are still seeking for Klopp‘s replacement.
Xabi Alonso was reported to be a top target for Liverpool, but the Spaniard has declared that he intends to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for the foreseeable future.
With that in mind, the Reds are allegedly targeting Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi.
However, a relatively fresh name has begun to circulate on the Liverpool management gossip mill, one that Fabio Capello recently endorsed.
Who is Liverpool apparently looking at, in addition to Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi?
Thiago Motta, a youthful manager, has been making headlines at Bologna this season.
Dean Jones told GiveMeSport that the 41-year-old is on Liverpool’s radar, but as an outsider compared to Amorim.
“Outside of the two main candidates, he has a very interesting football philosophy that is intriguing to many at Liverpool,” Jones went on to say. “Bologna has a peculiar fluidity in their game.
“It is crucial for Liverpool to have a football philosophy to follow, as well as to play in a style that suits the group and allows them to evolve.
Who is Thiago Motta, the Liverpool manager’s target?
Motta had a successful playing career, winning multiple trophies, including two Champions Leagues, with clubs such as Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain.
The Italo-Brazilian began his coaching career with PSG’s Under-19s before acquiring the UEFA Pro Licence in September 2020 and taking over at Genoa the following month.
The 41-year-old subsequently took over as manager of Bologna in September 2022, leading the club to ninth place that season and laying the groundwork for a successful 2023/24 season.
The Rossoblu are presently fourth in Serie A, five points ahead of fifth-placed Roma with eight games remaining, and are getting closer to Champions League qualifying.
Foot Italia recently praised Motta’s style of play as ‘fluid and free-
flowing,’ offering his sides ‘creativity and vigor’.
What has Fabio Capello said about Liverpool’s target Thiago Motta?
Capello praised Motta’s ‘Spanish influence’, which he feels is evident in all of the finest current coaches, including Klopp.
He stated in Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this year: “Ball possession is not sterile; it is exploited to advance. Bologna players are not controlled in the same way that video game characters are.
“Thiago Motta wants his players to be courageous in all parts of the pitch and to accept responsibility. It’s exactly what he did in the boxing ring.
“Being a former midfielder does not ensure success, but it is generally beneficial. Think about Pep Guardiola or Xabi Alonso.
“Thiago grew up in Barcelona, and the Spanish influence is visible in his playing style. Except for here, La Liga has a strong effect.
The former England manager went on to say, “Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool), Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), and Unai Emery (Aston Villa) in the Premier leaque.
“Being a former midfielder does not guarantee success, but it is usually advantageous. Think about Pep Guardiola or Xabi Alonso.
“Thiago grew up in Barcelona, and the Spanish influence is evident in his playing style. Except for here, La Liga has a significant impact.
“In Germany, Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen) is a clear frontrunner. In France, there is Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain), and Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid) leads the way in Spain.
“Motta was coached by Ancelotti, Mourinho (Inter), and Gasperini (Genoa). He has absorbed something from each of his masters and expanded upon it.
