Fernando Torres surprise next job update emerges after Liverpool return and Jurgen Klopp talks

Ex-Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


German outfit Schalke 04 are reportedly interested in hiring former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres as their new head coach after sacking Karel Geraerts last month. The 2011 Champions League semi-finalists are currently 13th in the Bundesliga 2 standings, with just two wins from seven games - and opted to part ways with Geraerts after the 5-3 home defeat to Darmstadt on Tuesday, September 20.

According to reports in Spain, Schalke 04 could turn to former Reds ace and current Atletico Madrid reserve team coach Torres to replace Geraerts after Raul turned down the role to stay with Real Madrid Castilla. Fichajes indicate that Schalke see the 40-year-old as someone whose "profile aligns with the club's philosophy".

However, Torres, who joined Liverpool from Atletico as a player for a (then) club-record fee of £20million in 2007, has reportedly shown no signs that he would be willing to leave the Spanish capital to take up the opportunity of managing Schalke in Germany's second division. It remains to be seen whether he will.

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After hanging up his boots in August 2019, the two-time European Championship winner was named as Atletico's Under-19s coach and has spent three seasons in the role. Torres now heads up the club's reserve team - competing in Spain's third division after being promoted through the ranks of the Wanda Metropolitano.

The promotion came just months after he visited the AXA Training Centre to shadow Jurgen Klopp for a weekend, before the German then departed Anfield this summer. Torres, now 40, made 142 appearances for Liverpool during his time at Anfield as a player - totting-up 81 goals and 19 assists overall.