Liverpool are continuing to evaluate potential new managers to take over from Jurgen Klopp.
Having seen previous favourite Xabi Alonso rule himself out of the running over Easter weekend, Liverpool fans are a little apprehensive about who is on the way.
There doesn’t appear to be a set front-runner so far, although Ruben Amorim of Sporting would appear the most likely.
Nevertheless, with Richard Hughes leading the search, Reds supporters know they’re in good hands. The 44-year-old has been described as an ‘elite level operator’ by those who have worked with him.
Hughes has also been said to have a contact list to rival any in football. And according to journalist David Ornstein, Liverpool’s incoming sporting director could be about to put that to good use.
Richard Hughes to use Italian connections
Having grown up in Italy and played for the Atalanta academy, Hughes apparently has significant contacts in the Italian game.
As a result, Ornstein told NBC Sports today that Liverpool might well end up targeting either Bologna’s Thiago Motta or Simone Inzaghi of Inter Milan.
“You do have others of Italian background like Thiago Motta at Bologna and also Inzaghi at Inter Milan,” said the journalist having already suggested that he doesn’t think Roberto De Zerbi will be hired. Both of them will be really well known to Richard Hughes who has Italian links.”
Assessing the potential candidates further, Ornstein also touched on the availability of two more heavyweight coaches.
“You’ve got the likes of Thomas Tuchel and Hansi Flick who will be available in the summer,” he said. “But Liverpool haven’t made their decision yet, they’re going to do so in the weeks ahead.”
READ MORE: Why Liverpool should be seriously looking at hiring Thiago Motta
Who are Inzaghi and Motta
Thiago Motta and Simone Inzaghi are perhaps the two best coaches in Italy right now. Inzaghi has Inter 14 points clear at the top of Serie A and also guided them to the Champions League final last season.
Motta meanwhile has taken Bologna into the top four. After taking them to an 11-year high of ninth place last year, the 41-year-old has kicked on again. He looks like a real prospect and Liverpool have seemingly discussed his hiring already.
Both managers are former players, with Motta the more decorated of the two. Inzaghi spent his whole career in Italy, largely with Lazio. Meanwhile Motta took in spells at Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and PSG, as well as playing for both Brazil and Italy at international level.
Either would be a slightly curveball appointment from Liverpool. But we’ve often become used to expecting the unexpected with Michael Edwards. With Hughes running the show now, maybe Inzaghi or Motta will bring La Dolce Vita over to Merseyside.