Fabrizio Romano’s afternoon manager update is absolutely massive news for Arne Slot

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Empire of the Kop

·2 avril 2026

Fabrizio Romano’s afternoon manager update is absolutely massive news for Arne Slot

Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that Enzo Maresca remains the top candidate to replace Pep Guardiola when he leaves Manchester City.

This leaves Liverpool in a favourable position ahead of the summer, with Arne Slot’s job coming under increasing scrutiny.

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The Merseysiders risk falling outside of the Champions League spots with seven games left in the Premier League season.

A failure that would surely seal the Dutch head coach’s future (or lack thereof) at Anfield.

Manchester City aren’t looking at Xabi Alonso

Romano tweeted on X (formerly Twitter) that the Sky Blues ‘really appreciate’ the former Chelsea boss.

🚨 Manchester City will let Pep Guardiola decide what he wants to do with his future. As reported since January, Enzo Maresca is the favorite candidate if/when Pep decides to leave. Despite reports on Kompany, #MCFC really appreciate Maresca. 🎥➕ https://t.co/ab4T9cSFXz
– jeudi 2 avril 2026

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Beyond the obvious in terms of what this means for Alonso’s future, it does, perhaps, hand the Reds an additional advantage.

If we’re to take reports from the likes of Paul Joyce and Co. – on FSG fully backing Slot despite the sack rumours – as gospel, it seems Liverpool could take a gamble ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Liverpool could take Arne Slot gamble

According to reports coming out of the club, it would seem that Liverpool are totally prepared to stick to their guns.

However, that’s always appeared to be something of a massive gamble. Say, for instance, that the Reds do look to stick with Arne Slot going into the 2026/27 campaign, what happens if the Premier League title push is already over by Christmas? How far will FSG’s patience extend?

And, critically, what it would mean for candidates like Xabi Alonso whom the club is understood to admire?

Theoretically, if City are indeed pursuing Enzo Maresca, there isn’t really another job around that would massively appeal to the Spaniard.

Yes, the Bayern Munich job would be of great interest if Vincent Kompany were to part ways. But that’s not going to happen any time soon – not without Man City pushing to bring their former favoured son to Manchester.

In that case, might Alonso be prepared to wait in the wings in the event that Liverpool’s faith in Arne Slot doesn’t pay off in 2026/27?

It’s one hell of a gamble, but it might be one the club is prepared to take if they don’t feel they’re going to miss out on the former Bayern Leverkusen coach in the meantime.