Liverpool's FSG ownership fought tooth and nail to bring their support to Arne Slot all season. Not once in this tumultuous campaign did FSG come close to sacking the head coach.
But the release has now gone through without a hitch. This is a disaster for the Anfield side, who are likely to secure Champions League football next season but after finishing fifth in the Premier League.
|
Arne Slot's Premier League Record |
||
|---|---|---|
|
24/25 |
# |
25/26 |
|
38 |
The same |
37 |
|
25 |
It wins |
17 |
|
9 |
Drawings |
8 |
|
4 |
Loss |
12 |
|
86 |
Goals were scored |
62 |
|
41 |
Goals scored |
52 |
|
84 (2.21) |
Points (PPM) |
59 (1.59) |
To say it wasn't good enough would be an understatement, and while Mohamed Salah's recent comments have divided opinion, they do speak to the broader issues threatening the project.
Whichever side of the fence Liverpool fans sit on, everyone will be in concert about the need to improve. Space has not been good for a long time,
FSG are now considering the sack of Slot in Liverpool
According to TEAMtalk, FSG are finally starting to look at Slot's position in the dugout, sparking much discontent at Anfield and Merseyside and Liverpool fans around the world.
However, all indications have suggested that the Slot is safe. After all, Liverpool turned around looking for Xabi Alonso, who has been unemployed since the new year, who was recently hired by Chelsea, it was very disappointing to persuade Liverpool.
Alonso is not the only good manager on the market, and you can say that Salah's hopes of returning to “heavy metal football” at Anfield will not be achieved by the appointment of the former manager of Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid.
Instead, Liverpool could turn to another Spanish coach with more recent experience in the Premier League.
A report from TEAMtalk confirms that four names are currently being discussed at FSG's head offices, but it is outgoing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola whose name appears repeatedly.
It is understandable. This is the manager who did wonders at the Vitality Stadium, taking the sixth-placed Cherries into a special outfit and challenging Liverpool for a place in the Champions League next year.
Chelsea used to be the best, but they went down a different track. However, Crystal Palace made Iraola their top target in the summer in a desperate move, so Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes will need to be quick to prevent another Alonso move.
Why Iraola would be better for Liverpool than Alonso
In fairness, if Liverpool wanted to go for Alonso, they would have – and he would have chosen this Liverpool project over the one at Stamford Bridge.
Maybe they are biding their time. Alonso's smooth and calculated football is not too different from Slot's style, and it is worth noting that the Liverpool boss has beaten Alonso in the last two Champions League campaigns.
Iraola has proven his worth to top managers, and given that he brings the intensity and energy that Merseyside lacks at this point, he could prove to be better than Alonso, who is also known to favor a back three.
Sky Sports commentator Sam Tighe went so far as to say he is “the best young manager in the world”, thanks to the impressive work he has done at Bournemouth, making them one of Europe's most exciting football operators at this level.
Iraola has described his football as “rock and roll” in the past, so while he doesn't have Alonso's pedigree and proven track record of bringing titles to Germany, this would be a perfect fit for Liverpool.
FSG have done an exemplary job over the last few years at Liverpool, but the wheels have come off this term. Something has to give, and while firing managers is not in the DNA of this property, we are on the verge of irresponsibility, with Slot at the bitter end of this fall.
Iraola will do it. In addition, he was previously appointed by Hughes at the Vitality Stadium, so there is already a working relationship between the two important teams.
Whether the Spanish manager arrives remains to be seen, but he is the real deal, proven in the Premier League and with a style of play that better suits the demands of this Anfield persuasion and, perhaps, a deeply woven identity at Liverpool football club.
Salah understands Liverpool, and has spoken out – a rare thing – because of his genuine concerns about the direction of Slot's team.
He's out this summer, so it's not by the skin of his teeth, right? No, Salah knows that something needs to be changed, while Iraola is inexperienced, he has a strong and powerful style of play that will allow him to blend into the team.
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