Liverpool ‘secretly line up Arne Slot replacement’ as FSG make sack U-turn | Football | Sport

Liverpool have reportedly sounded out Andoni Iraola as a potential Arne Slot replacement, should the Merseysiders pull the plug. The Dutchman guided Liverpool to the Premier League title last season, but heading into the final weekend of the campaign, the Reds still haven’t secured a Champions League berth.

It was reported earlier in the season that Slot’s job would be safe if Liverpool secured Champions League football, but while very unlikely, there is a chance the 2024/25 champions could miss out on the final day. As such, fresh reports have emerged linking the six-time European Cup winners with a move for the man of the moment: Iraola.

The Spanish coach has just guided Bournemouth to a European finish for the first time in their history, but announced earlier this year he intends to move on. French outlet Foot Mercato claim that Liverpool are keeping tabs on Iraola’s situation, and even boast a secret weapon in trying to lure him to Anfield.

That’s because Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, was the man who originally brought Iraola to the Premier League during his previous role with Bournemouth. Hughes moved on to join Liverpool, with suggestions the two could be set for a reunion sooner rather than later.

That’s only if Slot is let go by the Liverpool hierarchy, with some rumours suggesting there might’ve been a U-turn from the board. It was claimed on Thursday that the ex-Feyenoord manager won’t lead Liverpool into the summer, and the bigwigs will sanction his sack.

When quizzed on his future last week, Slot said: “I don’t think I am deciding that myself alone. I have every reason to believe that I am the Liverpool manager next season. First of all, I am contracted to this club, and second of all from all the talks we are having.”

Before adding: “Plans have been made and talks have been ongoing between the club and new players, and I am involved in that, if that is what you want to know…

“It is not only at Liverpool. It is all around the world. That is the new reality in football. It is not up to me to judge the people that judge me. They have every right to have their opinion. In this modern time, everyone can share their opinion. This happened 10-15 years ago, but then you did it in the pub and not everyone heard it.

“Now it is also done in a pub. From what I am reading, they must have drunk a little bit [laughs]. That is a joke! But now it is much more out in the open.”