Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been linked with a shock return to management this week amid rumours that Nottingham Forest may part ways with Nuno Espirito Santo following his latest public outburst. The German coach stepped away from management just two years ago, citing a lack of energy as the reason for his break.
He had previously done the same at the end of his tenure at Borussia Dortmund, only to quickly reverse course and take on the challenge of transforming Anfield - turning doubters into believers and guiding Liverpool to a Champions League title and their first Premier League title in 30 years. Since assuming his role as Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, he has frequently been linked with a similar bombshell return to management.
Things at the City Ground are reportedly in disarray from a hierarchical perspective. However, taking over a squad that has been heavily backed in recent transfer windows and proved themselves by qualifying for the Europa League last season represents an attractive opportunity for any top manager. Despite Klopp’s recent ties to the club, and Evangelos Marinakis’ admiration for the 58-year-old, however, Forest reportedly have another former Liverpool boss in mind to take the reins should they decide change is needed.
Klopp Overlooked as Forest Consider Four Candidates
Despite a recent talkSPORT article suggesting that Europa League-winning former Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglu would be willing to take on the challenge of replacing Nuno, given the current manager’s rift with Edu and Evangelos Marinakis, he is reportedly not near the top of Nottingham Forest’s shortlist.
Neither is Jose Mourinho, who would undoubtedly benefit from Forest’s impressive defensive talent, including Ola Aina, Neco Williams, new loan signing Douglas Luiz, and the centre-back pairing of Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo. While the Fenerbahce hot-head is listed alongside Postecoglu, The Sun's report indicates that Brendan Rodgers actually tops Forest’s priority list.
Luis Suarez and Brendan Rodgers
Luis Suarez and Brendan Rodgers
"Straight-talking Marinakis has had his sights on Rodgers for months," it claims, "and the time may be right to strike soon to bring the former Liverpool and Leicester manager back to England." It also details how Rodgers is in the final year of his Celtic deal and how he has walked out on them before to come to the Premier League. Watch the Nuno Espirito Santo interview that has left his Forest job hanging in the balance below:
Rodgers’ most memorable stint came between 2012 and 2015, when he was tasked with returning Liverpool to the summit of English football. Although he came close in the 2013/14 season - finishing second to Manchester City after scoring 101 goals - he struggled with consistency, and his free-flowing attacking style often masked defensive weaknesses.
That said, if Forest decide to part ways with Nuno, Rodgers’ FA Cup triumph with Leicester City could make him an ideal candidate for the role. At Leicester, he demonstrated a more balanced approach to management, before going on to secure multiple Scottish Premiership titles during his time at Celtic.