Sami Hyypia admits managing former club Liverpool would be something special, although he has not made this a particular career target.
The former Finland international enjoyed a ten-year spell as a key player at Anfield, during which time he helped them to two FA Cups, two League Cups, a Uefa Cup, a UEFA Super Cup and, most memorably of all, the UEFA Champions League of 2005. Hyypia left Merseyside for Bayer Leverkusen in 2009, and after two years at the BayArena, he was appointed manager in 2012.
In his debut season in charge he led Bayer to third place in the Bundesliga, and they currently stand in second place after 13 matches. Speaking ahead of the Champions League clash with Manchester United on Wednesday, a game in which a win would take them to the top of Group A, Hyypia has revealed it would be something special to return to Liverpool as manager in the future.
“Many people have asked me – ‘Where would I want to manage?’” the 40-year-old told Sky Sport Pundit. “There are two special places for me; I was at Liverpool for 10 years so that would be great. That doesn’t mean it’s a target – but it would be something special. And I come from Finland – and the Finnish national coach is the biggest job there. It’s also not a target but it would be great.”
Hyypia is under contract in Leverkusen until the summer of 2015, but if he continues to progress as he has done over the past couple of years, it is inevitable he will attract attention. Whether that comes from his former club remains to be seen, though, especially as current incumbent Brendan Rodgers is transforming the Reds into genuine top-four contenders.
