Toxic relationship could force FSG to sack Arne Slot | OneFootball

Arne Slot was appointed as Liverpool’s head coach back in May 2024.

The club’s ownership - FSG - decided to rip up the leadership structure in place with Jurgen Klopp as manager. The German’s coaching duties went to Slot - who was hired away from Feyenoord.

Also brought to the club was Richard Hughes as sporting director while Michael Edwards returned as FSG’s CEO of Football. It was an inspired appointment initially with Slot leading Liverpool to the 2024/25 Premier League title.

The Anfield club were widely expected to retain their crown following a £450m transfer spend last summer but things have gone badly wrong.

There is no chance of retaining the title while domestic cup humiliation has come at the hands of Crystal Palace and Manchester City.

Liverpool are facing an uphill struggle to qualify for the Champions League and it has led to speculation over Arne Slot’s future.

FSG change their minds over Arne Slot

Under contract until 2027 FSG have put the message out that they intend to stand by their head coach so long as the situation remains tenable.

Slot must secure Champions League football at a minimum otherwise his tenure at the club could end one year early. But there is another factor that could now feed into FSG’s thinking according to a new report in Football Insider.

Relations between Slot and the club’s supporters look strained to say the least right now. Fans are not happy with the 10 league losses - let alone the lack of consistent identity in the team’s play.

And rather than stick with Slot - risking further toxicity - FSG may pull the trigger for a fresh start on Merseyside.

Toxic relationship with fans could force FSG to sack Slot

“Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group have accepted that they may have to sack manager Arne Slot this summer amid a “disconnect” with the fans,” the report reads.

“There are fears among the hierarchy at Anfield that the atmosphere among the supporters is leaning towards becoming “toxic,” and there is an acceptance that sections of the support have turned against the Dutchman for good.

“The club hierarchy are determined to avoid the feeling around the club worsening any further, and as a result, they are prepared to sack Slot at the end of the season if it is clear that there is no way back for him.”

Right now there are NO plans in place to sack Slot - at least before the end of the current season. The club needs continuity and to stick together in these difficult circumstances.

The run of nine matches to finish the season - two in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain and seven in the Premier League - are set to define Slot’s future.

And even if he manages to steer the ship into less choppy waters fan discontent could mean the owners’ patience wears thin.