Who's in line to replace Arne Slot if Liverpool decides to sack their title-winning manager?
Will we see a change in the Anfield dugout?
It’s unsurprising that we continue to see links with a host of different managers who could replace Slot as Liverpool boss if there are more poor results in upcoming games.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is one name being particularly strongly linked by reports in his native Spain, so that could be one to watch, while there’s even surprise talk of a speedy return to the Anfield dugout for Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool cruised to their 20th top division league title in their first season under Slot’s tenure, and following an enormous summer spending spree, Liverpool was many fans’ favourites to retain the Premier League title.
However, despite their significant outlay on talent like Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, the Reds have failed to impress. New signings have taken time to bed in at the club, and shaky defensive performances have left the team sitting in sixth, well off the pace of league-leaders Arsenal.
Slot’s team is performing well on paper in Europe, only needing a win against Qarabağ to guarantee their advancement to the knockout stages. Despite beating both Real and Atletico Madrid in the tournament so far, bookies like NetBet have Liverpool as firm outsiders to lift the trophy come the end of the season.
Sub-par performances against Galatasaray and PSV in Europe, coupled with their consistent issues finding form in the league, have left many questioning whether Slot is the right man for the job.
With that in mind, here are the five current favourites for the LFC job if Slot is sent packing:
Xabi Alonso
A former Liverpool player, it looked like Xabi Alonso was in line to replace Klopp before Slot ended up getting the job instead. Real Madrid swooped in to pick up one of the most highly rated young managers in the game, but his experience at Los Blancos was short-lived. Following his departure, it’s been reported that Liverpool have already made contact with Alonso, so it’s little surprise odds are as low as 1/2 for him to take over should Liverpool move on from Slot.
Luis Enrique
Speculation around Enrique’s future at PSG has been rife of late. It’s been reported that the Spaniard is refusing to pen a new deal in Paris, despite only delivering the club’s first Champions League trophy last season. With such a strong track record, it’s little surprise his name is being floated for the Liverpool job, with many believing he could be the key to unlocking some of the new, young talent at the club. Odds are as low as 2/1 for him to secure the top job at Liverpool.
Oliver Glasner
Surely someone who’s going to be in the frame for all the top jobs, Oliver Glasner has done great work at Crystal Palace and looks like one to watch for Liverpool if Slot gets the axe. Glasner has made his frustrations at Palace clear following the departure of club captain Marc Guehi to Man City, and has announced his plans to leave the club at the end of the season. Odds are as low as 11/2 for Glasner to take the reins should Slot Depart.
Andoni Iraola
As already mentioned, Iraola is being linked with LFC and makes sense as a realistic target due to being close to the end of his contract at Bournemouth. It would be a bold move from FSG to hire a manager who, while impressive, has never managed at the top level. Despite impressing many with his style of play and performances at Bournemouth, Iraola is 7/1 to take over Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp
Although he only left at the end of 2023/24 and has since vowed that he won’t return to management, it’s not too surprising to see Klopp’s name ranking high with bookies at the moment. His name has been circulating recently as an option for Real Madrid following the departure of Alonso, but Klopp has come out to say he still has no immediate plans to return to coaching. With that being said, as Liverpool’s greatest modern manager, who’s to say his head couldn’t be turned should the club approach him. Some bookies have him at 7/1, so it’s clearly not entirely outlandish.
Steven Gerrard
Inevitably on this list due to being a Liverpool legend, Steven Gerrard probably isn’t the best long-term option for the Reds to be thinking about after a difficult start to his management career, but he’s 12/1 at the moment according to the bookies. It’s difficult to see how this appointment would work, as for many, he’s a clear step down from the quality expected at a club like Liverpool. However, in the event of a relationship breakdown between Slot and the board, it’s not hard to picture Gerrard coming back to his boyhood club in a caretaker capacity.