All eyes are on Budapest where the Champions League final is due to kick off in an hour now. However, the football world does not stop turning. A little earlier today, Liverpool took the opportunity to announce the departure of their coach Arne Slot, not without some bitterness. “The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC since he has been with us has been significant and, most importantly for the supporters and for us, an achievement. At the same time, we have collectively come to the conclusion that changes are necessary for the club to continue moving forward. Once again, it should be emphasized that this is not a decision taken lightly“.
But then how did the Reds come to make this decision if it was taken with regret? Arriving two years ago, the Dutch technician is the one who brought the 20th national crown to the club, immediately after the historic chapter written by the 9 years of Jürgen Klopp. “Plans have been made, discussions are underway with the club for new players and I am participating in them. (…) I have a contract with this club. (…) Everything suggests that I will be coach next season» he said two weeks ago. Since this declaration, the Reds have lost 4th place to Aston Villa, falling heavily at Villa Park 4-2, and conceded a draw at Anfield against Brentford.
Irregular results, criticized playing style and problems with Salah
Finally 5th in the Premier League, the Mersey club is still qualified for the next C1. It’s a lesser evil, but the first doubts have appeared. Slot’s rating, already off to a good start this season, has collapsed among supporters. A few figures help support these doubts. 53 goals were conceded in the league, the 13th most in the league. Over the entire season, Liverpool have suffered 20 defeats in all competitions. And then there was the last episode with Mohamed Salah, who wanted to see his team become a “heavy metal attack team that opponents fear (…) that wins trophies“. Slot was obviously the obvious culprit.
The lack of results, the management of certain locker room executives, the technician was also criticized for the lack of dynamism in the Scousers game, often made too predictable adds the Liverpool Echo. However, Slot was appreciated internally and the decision to part with it was taken reluctantly. “No one at the club underestimates what Slot has achieved, or the manner in which he has conducted himself. On a human level, it probably seems a little unfair for a manager to lose his job a year after winning the Premier League title», reports Sky Sports. Reading the English media, it was necessary to make a decision to allow the team to move on to the next stage, returning to a form of social peace.
A reluctant departure
“Decisions need to be made based on what management believes offers the team the best chance to move forward, and that’s the type of decision they feel they’ve made regarding Arne Slot’s future. It seems to be a decision motivated by footballing reasons, linked to the style of play. They are obviously not denigrating the work of Arne Slot nor the exceptional performances achieved by Liverpool during this victorious season», continues Sky Sportsrecalling the football played under Klopp, “a more popular style“. Favorite to take over, Andoni Iraola will perhaps be that man but he will not get there alone. The transfer window also risks moving the lines. Besides Salah, elements like Ibrahima Konaté are leaving.
