Wigan Athletic’s Roberto Martinez, evens with bookmaker, has become the first man to be formally approached about becoming the new manager of Liverpool.
Latics chairman Dave Whelan revealed on Thursday evening that he had given permission for Martinez to speak to the Reds, having always pledged to not stand in the way if the right club came calling.
However, Martinez may not be the man for Liverpool in the end, with the Anfield club later saying that they had yet to focus in on a preferred candidate.
Managing director Ian Ayre said: “Of course we will have a short-list very quickly. There are lots of names being bandied around and lots of people showing interest.
“We will define what we are looking for and you shouldn’t include or dismiss anyone on that basis.”
Former Marseille coach Didier Deschamps, Swansea City’s Brendan Rodgers and ex-Chelsea head coach Andre Villas-Boas have all been linked with the post at Anfield following Kenny Dalglish’s exit on Wednesday.