Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed he has the full support of the club’s owners, indicating his confidence in remaining as Reds manager next season despite the team’s disappointing campaign over the past few months.
Liverpool currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, have lost both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and are on the verge of elimination from the Champions League after a 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.
Rumors of Slot’s Departure and the Signing of Xabi Alonso
Since last November, rumors have persisted about Slot’s immediate departure from his position as Liverpool manager amidst widespread fan anger. However, the Reds’ management has not taken this step, instead showing strong support for the Dutch coach who led the team to the Premier League title last season.
Following Xabi Alonso’s departure from Real Madrid in mid-January, the Spanish coach emerged as Liverpool’s leading candidate to succeed Slott, amidst rumors that the Reds had already contacted the former Bayer Leverkusen manager about taking over the reins starting next season.
It was reported that Alonso had already agreed to manage Liverpool and that an official announcement would be made at the end of this season unless Slott succeeded in winning the Champions League.
Meanwhile, The Athletic reported that Liverpool’s management has no intention of letting Slot go. On the contrary, they believe he has the right to continue next season and manage the summer transfer window himself before a final judgment is made on him.
Slot: I see clear support from Liverpool’s management
In the press conference before Liverpool’s match against Fulham on Saturday, Slott said, “I repeat myself often, but I’ve said it many times: I feel tremendous support, not just from the management, Richard (Hughes) and Michael (Edwards), but I also feel the support of the fans, even though that might seem strange.”
He added, “When we were in Paris right after our 4-0 defeat (against Manchester City), the fans were chanting: ‘We love you, Liverpool.'”
He continued, “It’s fair to say we weren’t at our best, but we went to the away fans’ section and they were still chanting and applauding us. We felt that support constantly. I think the club is fully aware of the stage we’re going through. At the same time, I feel completely supported.”
Slot leads Liverpool to their worst statistical season in 11 years!
Slot believes Liverpool can come back against PSG
When asked about the second leg against PSG, the Dutchman replied, “We faced the European champions, and we weren’t at the level we wanted to be that night.”
He continued, “The good thing is that in four or five days, we’ll have another chance to prove that we can compete much better than we were.”
He continued, “But it also confirms that we have to keep playing at this level if we want to keep improving, and that means playing in the Champions League next season.”
He concluded, “We weren’t in the best possible position. Paris Saint-Germain saved us (from an even worse result), and we’re still in the competition. We have two important league matches coming up, and then four more.”
Liverpool currently sits fifth in the Premier League table, a position that secured them a Champions League spot for next season after England gained an extra place due to the success of English clubs in various European competitions this season.
