Fernando Torres has been linked with a sensational return to Liverpool, this time as manager. Torres, now 42, had a breathtaking spell at Anfield during his playing days, scoring 81 goals in 142 appearances before completing a controversial £50m move to rivals Chelsea mid-season. The former Spain international played for AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and Japan’s Sagan Tosu before retiring in 2019.
Torres then began his career as a manager, taking charge of both Atlético Madrid’s Under-19 and B teams. The former striker is now being backed by former Tottenham Hotspur frontman Fernando Llorente to one day take charge at Anfield. Llorente told Hadipel: “Will Fernando Torres become Liverpool manager one day? Absolutely. He follows a different path than Cesc Fabregas, preferring to be patient and start little by little in the youth team to gain experience.”
“I think Fernando will be a great manager because he has had a great career, has a lot of knowledge about football and has definitely prepared himself for the right moment to make the jump.”
Llorente is not the first to give Torres an outstanding managerial career. Former Atlético Madrid manager Armando de la Morena also praised his former striker on his return to the Spanish club.
He told Marca: “A manager like Fernando knows a little about his career as a player, always respects what he does and has what it takes to be a great manager.”
“I know that from the players too. The players have told me what surprises them about him, how he communicates, how he gives concepts. So what I see in him is that if everything goes well, we have a future coach in Spanish football and in Atlético and hopefully in the national team, whatever he wants.”
“He spoke to me very well, even when he was just a kid, 17, 18 years old. He’s always been someone to respect in his mannerisms and his actions, both on and off the field. That’s what a coach should be, after all. You’re supposed to be a role model, both on and off the field, and he meets those requirements.”
Back in 2024, Torres was given the opportunity to follow Jurgen Klopp during his final season at the club. Nevertheless, Atlético officials were concerned that the deal could develop into a permanent deal and stepped in to offer him a new role.
As it stands, it seems unlikely that Torres will be in charge at Anfield in the near future, despite Liverpool’s disappointing season under Arne Slott.
The Dutchman remains linked to Liverpool until the summer of 2027, but Anfield bosses have vowed to support the former Feyenoord manager rather than sack him in the coming weeks.
