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The question of who eventually succeeds Arne Slot at Liverpool is one that will not need answering anytime soon, but that has not stopped names being floated.
The latest to enter the conversation is one deeply familiar to supporters. Fernando Torres, who became an Anfield icon during his time under Rafael Benitez, has been quietly building his coaching credentials behind the scenes.
Torres’ path into management began in 2021 when Atletico Madrid brought him on as assistant coach for their Juvenil A side, working alongside Ricardo Ortega.
Still in the process of obtaining his full UEFA Pro Licence at the time, he wasted little time making his mark. By the following year he had stepped up to head coach, and between 2022 and 2024 he oversaw a remarkably successful period in Atletico’s youth setup. His U19 side claimed two league titles, won the Copa de Campeones, and reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Youth League.
He then moved on to become the manager of Atletico Madrid’s B side — currently competing in the Spanish third division — where his team sit third in their league and are pushing for a play-off place to reach the second tier. It is a patient, unglamorous path, but one that speaks to a genuine desire to learn the craft properly.
Now his former Spain teammate Fernando Llorente has gone on record backing Torres to one day make it to the top. Speaking to Hajper (via the Daily Express), Llorente said:
“Fernando Torres as Liverpool manager one day? Definitely. He’s taken a different path to Cesc Fabregas. He has been patient and has preferred to start little by little with the youth team, gaining experience.”
He continued: “I think Fernando will become a great coach because he had an incredible career, knows a lot about football and has surely been preparing for the right moment to make the jump.”
At 42, Torres still has considerable ground to cover before a role of Liverpool’s magnitude becomes realistic.
But with Xabi Alonso – another Benitez-era Spaniard – having already managed at the highest level, the blueprint exists. Whether Torres can follow that trajectory will be one of the more intriguing coaching stories to follow in the years ahead.