Other contenders for Liverpool FC job

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

James Pearce looks at the other contenders besides favourite Roy Hodgson.

MARTIN O'NEILL

The Aston Villa manager has made steady progress in the West Midlands. He led them to sixth place last season and to the Carling Cup final.

O'Neill also masterminded three title triumphs during his time at Celtic. Villa owner Randy Lerner insists O'Neill is going nowhere but it would be a dream move for him.

GUUS HIDDINK

The popular Dutchman has won six Dutch titles plus the European Cup with PSV, FA Cup success with Chelsea and major tournament semi-finals with Holland, South Korea and Russia.

He's a master motivator and shrewd tactician, but has agreed to take over as Turkey boss from July 1 and is unlikely to break that promise.

SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON

The former England boss is currently overseeing Ivory Coast's World Cup campaign but has made no secret of his desire for the Liverpool job.

Eriksson, who has also managed Lazio and Manchester City, is known to be a lifelong Reds fan.

Prior to his stint with the Ivory Coast he was director of football at Notts County.

MANUEL PELLEGRINI

The Chilean is currently out of work after leaving Real Madrid so there would be no issue over compensation.

At Villarreal he led them to the Champions League semi-finals on a relatively small budget. His 'failure' at Real - finishing second to Barcelona - has done little to damage his reputation and he speaks fluent English.

LOUIS VAN GAAL

The Bayern Munich boss has enjoyed great success over two decades in management.

He won three Dutch titles and the UEFA Cup with Ajax before two La Liga crowns with Barcelona.

Last season he led Bayern to the German championship and to the final of the Champions League where they lost to Inter Milan.

JURGEN KLINSMANN

The ex-Tottenham striker led Germany to an unexpected third-place finish in the 2006 World Cup.

A year later he was 'sounded out' about the Liverpool job by co-owner Tom Hicks when Rafa Benitez's future was uncertain. His one stint in club football wasn't a success as he was sacked by Bayern Munich only a year after taking over.

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