In for the long haul: The clearest sign yet that Arne Slot will be staying as Liverpool head coach | OneFootball

Liverpool are experiencing a difficult second season under Arne Slot.

The Dutchman got off to the best possible start after being installed as Jurgen Klopp’s successor - winning the 2024/25 Premier League title. But the Reds have got worse - not better - despite a £450m investment last summer.

The Anfield side are struggling just to requalify for the Champions League - and have been humiliated in both domestic cups.

Champions League elimination against Paris Saint-Germain is likely next week meanwhile when the teams clash in their quarter-final second leg at Anfield.

As a result of these adverse outcomes it has been speculated that Arne Slot may well see his job in danger. Under contract until 2027 the 47-year-old was tipped to potentially leave this summer as FSG plot a way forward under a new head coach.

Xabi Alonso has been mentioned as a potential successor - but right now according to one source Slot will be STAYING.

Arne Slot will be staying

Sam Wallace in the Telegraph claims that the outside noise bears no similarity to what’s being thought about Slot inside the corridors of power.

FSG - including sporting director Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards - are steadfast in their belief that Slot can turn the Liverpool ship around.

“The expectation that Slot will be dismissed at the end of the season – or even earlier – is at odds with the mood from FSG in Boston and the British-based executives Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes,” the report reads.

“The consensus is that Slot deserves to start next season, and that the transition from Jürgen Klopp in the summer of 2024 was not as simple as last season’s Premier League title indicated.”

The campaign for example was overshadowed from the outset by the tragic death of Diogo Jota. And certain top earners have struggled to live up to their performances in the 2024/25 Premier League title win.

“As things stand, FSG believes there is mitigation for performances: the death of Diogo Jota principle among them, given its effect on his team-mates at the start of the season,” the report states.

“There has also been the fall-off in performance of the stars of the era, primarily last season’s top goalscorer Mohamed Salah. Captain Virgil van Dijk acknowledged on Sunday night it was “the end of an era” for many of the team.”

Slot will be heavily involved in summer transfer plans

Slot got most of what he was looking for in the transfer window last summer - with Marc Guehi standing out as the only big transfer miss.

But FSG feel it will take another window at least before this squad starts to feel like Slot’s - with Wallace claiming the head coach will be involved in this summer’s transfer decisions.

“While Slot is acknowledged to have made errors, the feeling is that he deserves four transfer windows before a judgment is made,” the report continues.

“The club estimate their net spend at around £150m under their manager, in spite of last summer’s gross spending of more than £450m.

“Klopp had five windows before his first trophy, the 2019 Champions League.”

Arne Slot is going nowhere

Despite all that Slot remains on track to leave the club in just over a year. He signed a three-year deal when being released from Feyenoord and it could be well into next season before contract talks commence.

“Slot has a contract until the end of next season, and the club are of a mind to persevere into the last season of that deal before making any decision on a renewal or otherwise,” the report states.

One would imagine that Slot needs a good end to the season - securing Champions League football being a priority - and demonstrating that he’s got the credentials to lead the rebuild next summer when Mo Salah and Andy Robertson depart.