Adam Lallana is reportedly the “standout” candidate to replace Graham Potter as Brighton and Hove Albion manager.
Potter’s Seagulls departure was confirmed on Thursday, with the 47-year-old signing a five-year deal to become Chelsea's new head coach. That leaves Brighton chairman Tony Bloom on the lookout for a coach to fill the sizeable gap left by the departing manager.
"He leaves an excellent legacy for his successor with the club in its highest ever position, and on the back of leading us to our highest finish in the club’s history last season,” Bloom said of Potter’s departure.
“While our attention is now on appointing Graham’s successor as head coach our immediate focus, of course, is on Saturday’s game at Bournemouth and supporting Andrew Crofts as interim head coach.”
A number of Potter’s backroom staff will make the journey to the capital with him, including former defender Bruno, who had been initially pencilled to stand in as an interim. That honour will now go to Under-21 boss Andrew Crofts, with the Telegraph suggesting Lallana will join him in the role.
They are set to be in the dugout for this weekend’s clash with Bournemouth, before attention turns towards finding a long-term successor. And Sky Sports are reporting that Brighton midfielder Lallana is strongly in the frame, having developed a reputation as a “student of the game.”
The 34-year-old can also count Jurgen Klopp as one of those who would be in his corner should Brighton come calling for a recommendation. The Liverpool boss worked closely with the former England international during Lallana’s six-year stay at Anfield.
During the latter years of his time on Merseyside, although he struggled for playing time through injury, Klopp identified him as one of the key leaders within their dressing room.
“Adam is a natural leader and is so, so important within our team and also in the dressing room,” he said back in 2017. “Maybe on the outside his leadership is not seen as much as we see it each and every day at Melwood in everything he does.
Klopp added: “He has a world-class attitude to go with outstanding ability: that’s not a bad combination! Our younger players will now be able to benefit from watching, listening and learning from him for an even longer period because he sets the perfect example each and every day.”
And Klopp’s admiration for Lallana never waned, even when it became clear he was to leave the Reds at their end of their historic title-winning campaign in 2019/20. "He is an outstanding player, one of the most influential players in training quality I've had in my life. He's an incredible professional.
"I wish him only the best for the future and, from my point of view, he is already a legend here. He can now start being a legend somewhere else from next season on."
He has since spent two seasons playing under Potter at Brighton, where he could take on the mantle at one of the most progressive clubs in the Premier League as it stands.
