Top bosses who would take Liverpool job

The following story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club:

Sven Goran Eriksson isn't the only top boss who wants to step in at Anfield.

Guus Hiddink might have ruled himself out of the race to succeed Rafael Benitez - but there are plenty of other outstanding candidates willing to step in.

Sven Goran Eriksson has already made his Anfield ambitions clear.

Croatian boss Slaven Bilic has admitted he would consider the role - and former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes has also been linked with the vacancy.

But Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler reckons the answer lies at White Hart Lane - and the man who guided Tottenham ahead of Liverpool and into the Champions League last season.

Redknapp transformed Spurs from relegation candidates to Champions League qualifiers in the space of 18 months and Fowler believes he could have the same impact at Liverpool.

Fowler said: "You want someone who has done well in the Premier League and knows how it works so you know, as a top man, why not Harry Redknapp?

"He's done fantastic with Spurs and he would be a very good manager for Liverpool.

"I'm not saying they'll go for him but he's done fantastic at all the clubs he's been at in the Premier League and so have Martin O'Neill and Roy Hodgson."

Redknapp has one year left on his current contract at White Hart Lane and Fowler believes Liverpool remain an attractive prospect for any player or manager.

"Liverpool underachieved last year and Rafa set himself higher expectations with what came the years before, but it was always going to be difficult to match that or beat that," added Fowler, who has started training this week with his new team-mates at Perth Glory.

"It would be a good job for someone to take on. Liverpool's a massive club and they have underachieved in the last few years but in terms of world football, there are really not that many bigger clubs.

"We've got the chance to get someone in good but it remains to see who there is, because there doesn't seem to be many out there."

One of the criticisms levelled at Benitez during his reign was his disappointing record in the transfer market, which is known to be Redknapp's forte.

But Fowler insisted Liverpool cannot contemplate raising funds by selling prized assets Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

"There is obviously talk that Liverpool aren't in a position to spend much money - but when they do get someone in, you need to give that man some money," said Fowler.

"Regardless of the pull of the club you need some money to bring some players in that he wants. It's a tough one, if any manager comes in, he'll need money.

"Both (Torres and Gerrard) are world class and if the new manager wants to win leagues and cups you need players like that so whoever comes in will want to keep them.

"Players like that win you things. Admittedly you get a lot of money for them but if you do sell them it's very hard to replace them.

"Torres has been phenomenal when he has played and averages nearly a goal a game, he's up there with anyone in world football.

"You want him to play in as many league games as you can and if he plays those, he's going to score goals."

Fowler, who is preparing for his second season in Australia after moving from North Queensland to Perth Glory, would love to manage Liverpool - but not yet.

"That is a route I want to go down but on the level of Liverpool I'm years and years and miles and miles away from being anywhere near that," he said.

Turkey manager Guus Hiddink distanced himself from the job. The agent of the former Chelsea boss, Cees van Nieuwenhuizen, said: "Guus has shown over the years that he is loyal to agreements that he signed.

"There is no reason today why he would change such behaviour.

"Guus just started two weeks ago in Turkey and as much as he likes the Premier League and as much as he respects Liverpool as a legendary club with a great future ahead, a switch would be hardly doable.

"I know, never say never and especially in football this is true, but for me this is an impossible thought."

The agent of Slaven Bilic, brother Domagoj, admitted the Liverpool job was appealing, saying: "An offer has not come - not yet anyway - so we will not discuss it.

"But if any offer does come we will of course discuss it."

The agent of former Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard, however, was less enthusiastic.

Perry Overmeers said: "Rumours linking Frank to Liverpool are just that, rumours.

"Frank is the type of person who likes to fulfil his obligations and he has one year left on his contract with Galatasaray."

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti, meanwhile, has confirmed Benitez will not be out of work for long.

"I can only speak well of him because he is very good,'' Moratti said.

"Yes, that is the direction and in the next few days we will see, we will decide.

"It's also important that he has always done well in Europe, to continue to get joy from the Champions League is our aim."

Benitez is the coach who has inflicted the most number of defeats on outgoing Inter boss Jose Mourinho, a fact of which Moratti is well aware

The Inter chief added: "I know, I know. He beat him five times, right?

"It is a sign that he is prepared, that he works well and that he doesn't make mistakes in important games."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.