Liverpool FC: Former Bayern Manager Louis van Gaal Reportedly Linked to Reds

Less than 10 days after sacking manager Kenny Dalglish and over a month since parting ways with director Damien Comolli, Liverpool FC is well on their way to acquiring some big names as part of a coaching overhaul.

According to the Daily Mirror, the Reds are rumoured to be courting former Bayern Munich boss Louis van Gaal as the new sporting director for the club.

The 60-year-old Dutchman has had many successful stints as manager for some of the most prestigious clubs in football, but Liverpool is reportedly interested in bringing in a younger candidate to handle the on-field strategy. They feel that Van Gaal will be better in a director role. 

The Mirror has found that the club is interested in Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, who would be much more fit for the sideline. American owners John Henry and Tom Werner have apparently flown the 38-year-old out to Boston for a second interview and are highly interested in obtaining his services.

The side had floated out feelers to Jurgen Klopp, Frank de Boer, Didier Deschamps and, most notably, Pep Guardiola. However, the interest was not mutual. It now seems that the owners have narrowed their sideline selection down to Martinez and former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas.

If Van Gaal heads to Anfield, he will bring a wealth of experience with him that would pair well with a younger manager. He started his career with Ajax and won three Eredivisie titles along with the 1995 Champions League crown. He then bounced around from Barcelona to the Dutch national team to AZ to Bayern and won at every single stop.

That is exactly what Liverpool needs at the top of their coaching hierarchy—a proven winner. Should the side be able to pair Van Gaal with a youthful manager at Anfield, the Reds should soon find themselves back on top of the football world.