Sami Hyypia sets sights on Liverpool hot seat as former Reds boss mentors him

Former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia has spoken about his desire to one day return to Anfield as Reds manager.

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Currently boss at German side Bayer Leverkusen, where he switched to as a player following his career at Liverpool, Hyypia spoke of Merseyside being a special place in his heart.

“I have got two special places in my heart,” he told German newspaper Bild.

“I was born in Finland, and there the job as the national team coach is the biggest job.

“Liverpool has the other place in my heart. I don’t want to say, ‘That’s my goal’, but — after the ten years I played there — it would also be a dream to one day be the Liverpool manager.

“I live in the here and now, and that means Bayer Leverkusen, which gives me a lot of pleasure.”

Hyypia spent a successful 10 years at Liverpool before joining Leverkusen, making 464 appearances for the club and helping the Reds with, amongst other honours, the European Cup, UEFA Cup and FA Cup (twice).

The tall Finn will be mentored by former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson in the next two week’s international break.

Hyypia will shadow Hodgson, according to Bild, as England take on Montenegro and Poland in two vital World Cup 2014 qualifiers.

First of all though, Hyypia has the small matter of German and European Champions Bayern Munich visiting the BayArena in the Bundesliga this weekend.