Liverpool FC weighing up move for Jurgen Klopp’s former No2

EXCLUSIVE

Liverpool are considering a move for Jurgen Klopp’s former assistant manager Zeljko Buvac as Brendan Rodgers’ No2.

The move would further indicate the Reds have Klopp in their sights as boss should Rodgers fail to improve things at Anfield next season.

Rodgers survived an end of season review last week when he was told he needs to improve on last season’s sixth place finish. He has already been given the go ahead to complete the signings of James Milner and Danny Ings with further moves ahead in the coming weeks.

Yet one of his most pressing issues is finding a new assistant manager after Colin Pascoe was sacked last week.

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Buvac is widely seen as Klopp’s “twin” for the way the pair share the same football opinions and he played a key part in his success at Borussia Dortmund. The Bosnian is currently managing national side Republika Srpska.

Liverpool are also looking at Rene Meulensteen and Pako Ayestaran for the No2 role. But a move for Buvac would have wider implications other than arriving as Rodgers’ No2 given his links with Klopp.

Klopp announced he is taking a break from management after leaving Dortmund last week but is understood to be keen to return at the end of the year. That fits in with the timeframe Rodgers has been given to improve Liverpool.

Meanwhile, former Reds defender Sami Hyypia has thrown his hat in the ring for the No2 position.

The 41-year-old lifted the Champions League with the Reds during a 10-year spell as a player before moving into management with Bayer Leverkusen.

Hyypia guided the German club into the last 16 of the Champions League and finished fourth in his first full season at the helm.

However, Hyypia was sacked by Leverkusen and returned to England last summer to take charge of Brighton but resigned six months later after a run of just one win in 18 matches.

Hyypia said: “It would be great to work for a club which I love. I would definitely be interested if Liverpool think I could help them. I have great memories of my time at the club.

“My rise in management was rapid and I have been thinking a lot about things while I have been out.

“If there were no interesting opportunities as a manager, then I would be ready to be an assistant. That sort of role would give me a lot of experience. It wouldn’t be a problem for me.

“I feel ready to go into football again. You look at yourself and I am enthusiastic about getting back into the game.”