Liverpool

Steve Staunton: 'Reds targets won't work with Louis van Gaal'

By Matt Cotton, ReporterPublished: 29 May 2012 7:42 AM

Staunton: 'Reds targets won't work with Van Gaal'

Potential new Liverpool managers will be put off the role with Louis van Gaal as director of football, according to Steve Staunton.

Former Liverpool defender Steve Staunton believes that appointing Louis van Gaal as the Reds' director of football would scare off potential new managers.

The club's American owners are reportedly fond of the idea of employing the Dutchman to work above the new manager. Roberto Martinez, Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp are all targets for the Anfield outfit, yet Staunton believes that they are unlikely to want to work with Van Gaal.

"There are rumours that Louis van Gaal will come in as a director of football. Who wants that though? Most managers will turn it down for that reason alone," Staunton told talkSPORT.

"The situation at Liverpool is ridiculous. To come out and say to the media that there are 12 candidates in the first place is a mistake.

"I don't know what's going on. In the old days they would have got everything done behind the scenes and then announced it. They're making such a show of it in the media."

Liverpool are without a manager since sacking Kenny Dalglish earlier this month.