Louis van Gaal is under consideration by Liverpool's Fenway Sports Group owners for a senior managerial role at the club.
The Dutchman, linked with the club since the departure of former director of football Damien Comolli, could become the Reds' first ever sporting director as the restructuring at Anfield continues.
Van Gaal is understood to be keen on a move to Merseyside, as chairman Tom Werner and owner John W Henry mull over which DoF-manager combination will improve the club's fortunes.
In the wake of Kenny Dalglish's sacking by FSG last week, the Boston-based owners have drawn up a long list of potential managerial candidates to speak to the 61-year old.
Rejected by both Brendan Rodgers and Frank de Boer, they have nevertheless spoken to Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez while ex-Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas is believed to be in the frame.
Van Gaal, 60, is an appealing prospect to hire since he is also a free agent.
He boasts impressive legacies at both Ajax and Barcelona, having won the Champions League with the former in 1995, while his track record for developing young players is as impressive as the trophies he has won.
Yet he is renowned for being difficult to work with. He resigned after returning to Ajax in 2004 after a year due to "internal conflict", while his sacking by Bayern Munich in April 2011 came after the Reds lost third spot in the Bundesliga. He was already due to leave when his contract expired at the end of the season.
Most recently, Van Gaal was due to return to Ajax in a director's capacity this year until a legal challenge from long-time adversary Johann Cruyff derailed the move.