Fernando Torres backed to become Liverpool manager after Jurgen Klopp offer | Football | Sport
Fernando Torres has been tipped for a sensational return to Liverpool – this time as a manager. Torres, now 42, enjoyed a breathtaking spell at Anfield during his playing days, netting 81 goals in 142 appearances before completing a controversial £50million mid-season switch to rivals Chelsea. The former Spanish international went on to represent AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and Japanese outfit Sagan Tosu before hanging up his boots in 2019.
Torres has since embarked on a managerial career, having taken charge of both Atletico Madrid’s under-19 and B team sides. Now the ex-striker has been backed to one day take the helm at Anfield by former Tottenham Hotspur frontman Fernando Llorente. Speaking to Hajper, Llorente said: “Fernando Torres as Liverpool manager one day? Definitely. He’s taken a different path to Cesc Fabregas, he has been patient and has preferred to start little by little with the youth team, gaining experience.
“I think Fernando will become a great coach because he had an incredible career, knows a lot about football and has surely been preparing for the right moment to make the jump.”
Llorente is far from the first to have earmarked Torres for a distinguished managerial career. Former Atletico Madrid coach Armando de la Morena also heaped praise on the ex-striker following his return to the Spanish club.
Speaking to Marca, he said: “A coach like Fernando, knowing his career a bit, as a player and always with the respect that he has acted, has the conditions to be a great coach.
“I know it from the players too, who tell me wonders about him, how he transmits, how he gives them the concepts. So what I see in him is that if everything is going the right way, then we have a future coach for Spanish football and for Atletico and hopefully for the national team as well. Whatever he wants.
“He spoke very well to you even when he was still a kid, 17, 18 years old. He is always respectable both on and off the field, for his manners and behaviour. After all, a coach has to be that. An example both outside and inside the field. And he meets those conditions.”
Back in 2024, Torres was presented with the opportunity to shadow Jurgen Klopp during his final campaign at the club. Nevertheless, Atletico officials were anxious that could develop into a permanent arrangement and intervened to offer him a fresh role.
As things stand, it seems improbable that Torres will be assuming control at Anfield any time in the near future despite Liverpool’s disappointing campaign under Arne Slot.
The Dutchman remains tied to Liverpool until the summer of 2027, while the Anfield hierarchy have pledged to support the former Feyenoord manager rather than sack him in the coming weeks.
