Arne Slot in Liverpool endgame as Xabi Alonso agreement reached | OneFootball

Arne Slot is enduring a difficult second season as Liverpool head coach.

The 47-year-old could not have got off to a better start - winning the Premier League title at the first time of asking.

Big things were expected in the 2025/26 season - especially after sporting director Richard Hughes improved the squad with £450m worth of new signings.

British record deals were done for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak - and huge money went on Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and Giorgi Mamardashvili.

But Liverpool’s fortunes have decreased this season and the champions find themselves in a struggle to make it back into the top five - assuring qualification for the Champions League next season.

Arne Slot must win Champions League

It’s been speculated that securing a finish in the Champions League places would secure the future of Slot - who is contracted to Liverpool until the end of the 2026/27 season.

However a report in the Spanish media suggests that the Dutchman is going to have to succeed in the most difficult arena of all - the Champions League - in order to continue in his role.

Right now that looks a tough prospect - with the cream of European football still involved. And more worrying for the former Feyenoord boss the report claims the identity of Slot’s successor is already assured.

Liverpool will replace Slot with Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso - claims Fichajes - has already agreed to a three-year contract at Anfield in the event that Slot cannot win silverware in the Champions League.

“A verbal agreement is already in place, pending the fulfillment of certain sporting conditions this season,” the report reads.

“If the current manager fails to lift the Champions League trophy, a change on the bench will be automatically triggered at the end of the season.

“The agreement includes a three-year contract.”

Liverpool were reported to be interested in signing Alonso as their new head coach following the departure of Jurgen Klopp in 2024.

But the Spaniard wanted to stay one more year at Bayer Leverkusen - having guided them to an unbeaten German league and cup double. The Reds took on Slot instead - and in summer 2025 Alonso moved to Real Madrid.

The ex-midfielder is now unexpectedly free to accept another role following his departure from the Bernabeu in January. Liverpool would not have to pay a compensation fee and they could finally grant the fans’ wishes of seeing Alonso back on Merseyside.