ESPN: Villas-Boas on the shortlist

Andre Villas-Boas is on the shortlist for the vacant managerial post at Liverpool and may even be interviewed as early as this weekend, according to ESPN sources.

Villas-Boas, who has been out of work since losing the Chelsea job in March, fits the criteria of the Liverpool owners as they target a young coach who can remain in the job long-term. Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, 38, also remains in the frame for the post.

ESPN sources have also revealed that Liverpool plan to approach Pep Guardiola via Luis Suarez's agent, who is the outgoing Barcelona coach's brother. Even so, they recognise that the 41-year-old is a long shot, considering he has already rejected Chelsea's overtures and remains insistent that he will take a year's sabbatical.

Fenway Sports Group have made a list of ten candidates, which does include some older managers, and former England boss Fabio Capello, 65, may be sounded out. Former Reds boss Rafael Benitez is not on that list "for the time being" but he might eventually be included, if some of the prime candidates fall by the wayside, and it is ESPN's understanding that he has registered his interest in the post.

Marseille's Didier Deschamps, Ajax's Frank de Boer and Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk are also on the club's list of potential candidates.

Source: Soccernet