The former Bayern Munich boss emerges as a surprise name being considered by Liverpool as they look to replace Jurgen Klopp… with his agents sounding out Premier League clubs ahead of the summer.

Niko Kovac emerges as a surprise name being considered by Liverpool.

The former Bayern Munich and Monaco boss is available after leaving Wolfsburg earlier this season.

Liverpool are yet to enter formal negotiations with candidates as they look to replace Jurgen Klopp this summer, but are conducting an extensive research process to gather information and data on their preferred candidates.

Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim is one of the leading candidates but, despite reports, he has denied having held discussions or that a deal has been reached with Liverpool.

Kovac’s representatives recently visited London and are understood to have sounded out Premier League clubs ahead of possible managerial changes this summer.

Current boss Jurgen Klopp will leave his post at Anfield at the end of the season.

Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim is one of the main suitors but has denied having any negotiations

Kovac, 52, was born in Berlin, Germany, but during his career as a stylish defensive midfielder he captained Croatia.

When he became a manager, he won the German Cup with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2018 before winning the league and cup double as head coach of Bayern Munich a year later. He also coached Monaco from 2020 to 2022.

However, his time at Wolfsburg didn’t work out and he left in March.

Bundesliga clubs are also considering Kovac as interest increases.

The club has not yet started formal negotiations with candidates and data collection.