Liverpool Football Club has been home to a plethora of talent over the years, and there has been no shortage of players who have since gone on to management. So, let’s take a look!
Whether it be club or international football, Liverpool are well represented across the football landscape after former players pursued a role in coaching.
Xabi Alonso continues to lead the way, taking charge of Real Madrid in the summer after just short of three successful seasons in charge of Bayer Leverkusen.
The Spaniard was, at one time, among the favourites to be Jurgen Klopp‘s successor at Anfield, but he waited for the opening at the Bernabeu, which came in the summer.
MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 21: Xabi Alonso, Head Coach of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, speaks to the media in post match press conference after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Atletico de Madrid and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Riyadh Air Metropolitano on January 21, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
The likes of Nuri Sahin, Dirk Kuyt, Harry Kewell and Pepe Reina were also appointed to their roles over the summer and into the new season.
But they are not the only former Reds who are currently in management across the world, the list includes:
• Xabi Alonso – Real Madrid
• Nuri Sahin – Basaksehir
• Dirk Kuyt – FC Dordrecht
• Fernando Torres – Atletico Madrid B
• Javier Mascherano – Inter Miami
• Harry Kewell – Hanoi FC
• Craig Bellamy – Wales
• Robbie Keane – Ferencvaros
• Mauricio Pellegrino – Lanus
• Jan Kromkamp – CSV Apeldoorn
• Nigel Clough – Mansfield Town
• Albert Riera – Celje
• Igor Biscan – Al-Ahli SC
• Alvaro Arbeloa – Real Madrid B
• Sebastian Leto – Kifisia
• Rigobert Song – Central African Republic
• Alberto Aquilani – Catanzaro
• Pepe Reina – Villarreal U19s
• Djimi Traore – Monaco B
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, November 3, 2021: Club Atlético de Madrid's coach Fernando Torres during the UEFA Youth League Group B Matchday 4 game between Liverpool FC Under19's and Club Atlético de Madrid Under-19's at the Liverpool Academy. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Fernando Torres remains in his post as the head coach of Atletico Madrid’s B team, with the Spaniard recently signing a new contract until 2027, he has been in charge since 2024.
The 41-year-old is not the only former Red in charge of a reserve side, with Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid B), Pepe Reina (Villarreal U19s) and Djimi Traore (Monaco B) all overseeing the next generation of players.
All but Traore were signed during Rafa Benitez’s spell at Anfield.
CARDIFF, WALES - Wednesday, July 10, 2024: Craig Bellamy holds a Wales shirt as he is presented as the new manager of the Wales men's national football team at Hensol Castle. (Photo by Geoff Caddick/Propaganda)
As for representation on the international stage, Craig Bellamy is in charge of the Welsh National Side and has a play-off spot for the World Cup on the horizon.
And Rigobert Song, who played 38 times for Liverpool, is now in charge of Central African Republic national football team and was appointed with the goal of qualifying for the World Cup and 2027 AFCON.
Harry Kewell, meanwhile, is now managing in Vietnam; Nuri Sahin traded the Bundesliga for the Super Lig; and Javier Mascherano is in charge of Inter Miami in MLS.
Former players now turned assistants
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, December 17, 2023: Liverpool's injured Thiago Alcântara before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United FC at Anfield. The game ended in a goal-less draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There is also no shortage of former players in the world of coaching, offering their experience and stepping into the world of management at club and international level.
Thiago is the assistant coach to Hansi Flick at Barcelona, Adam Lallana is plying his trade at Southampton, and Kolo Toure is now working alongside Pep Guardiola at Man City.
Nabil El Zhar is also in an assistant role at Muaither SC, as is Anthony Le Tallec with Le Havre’s reserve side, while former defender Steven Caulker is both a player and an assistant at Stjarnan in Iceland.
Former youth product Tom Clayton is currently acting as Liverpool’s U16s assistant coach, and Jay Spearing is a player-coach for the Reds’ U21s at the age of 36.
As for those potentially on the hunt for work in management, Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler head that list.