A great deal of controversy and conflicting reports have emerged in the European media in recent days regarding Arne Slot’s future with Liverpool. The debate centers on whether he will remain in his position next season or if former Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso will be appointed.
Liverpool’s performance has declined significantly this season under Slot, currently sitting fifth in the Premier League. However, they still have a chance to win at least one title, having reached the quarter-finals of both the Champions League (where they will face Paris Saint-Germain) and the FA Cup (where they will face Manchester City).
According to The Athletic, Liverpool are planning for next season with Slot remaining in charge. The club does not see a need for a managerial change at this time and highly values the Dutchman’s efforts, to the point that they intend to grant him significant authority in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Today, the Daily Mirror confirmed that Liverpool’s FA Cup victory would be enough for Slot to secure his place on the Anfield bench next season, provided he also guarantees the Reds a Champions League spot.
However, Bild insists that an agreement is already in place between Liverpool and Xabi Alonso for the Spaniard to take charge next season, and that all the talk about Slot staying is merely speculation spread by the Reds’ management to give the coach confidence and hope they can salvage the current season with minimal damage.
The Telegraph echoed the German newspaper’s report, indicating that Alonso will be Liverpool’s new manager unless Slot manages a miracle and wins the Champions League, which seems relatively unlikely.
It’s worth noting that Xabi Alonso was the leading candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager in 2024, but he opted to stay for another year with Bayer Leverkusen, allowing Slot to take over the English giants and lead them to the Premier League title last season.
