My suggestion that we don’t pay too much to what managers say in public goes back further than September. I remember having this argument when Rafa was in charge, the tide turned on him and people started picking apart his mangled comments in Pressers, in a second language.
I don’t like press conferences. Managers cannot say what they think, they are always guarded, journalists are looking for a gotcha and fans end up reading far more than they should into a couple of words said by someone who does not want to be there. I’d be fucked off if people were deciding on my competence to do my job on the basis of me tripping over some words in a press conference because a journo has caught me out.
I don’t like microphones being shoved under managers noses when they are still emotional and wound up from a game of football.
There is more than enough Slot is getting wrong at the minute without forensically analysing his comments everytime he speaks to the press (as he is obligated to do). Most of all, when I see people picking his comments apart as delusional a reaction I so often find myself having is what else is he supposed to fucking say? We know it’s bollocks. He knows it’s bollocks. If he said the opposite you’d have a pop at him for that too.
When managers get into difficulty like Slot is, there isn’t anything he can say that would make us all go “fair play, he’s handled that well”. He is basically walking out there to be flagellated. With empathy from one human being to another, I don’t like it and I never will.
But really, if he stays past the next month, fsg / Edwards / Hughes would then have to be seriously questioned, being deaf, blind, and tasteless too. But I’m quite sure they aren’t.
No matter what they can say, everything is in place, I’m sure of it. Too much has happened, and there is absolutely no possible way back from this. The ship has sailed for Slot, and the earlier he leaves, the better.
While I can understand the “mitigating circumstances” bit they’re going with, I think it’s just such a risk to keep him that it would surprise me if they went that route.
They’d almost need to announce a major major signing - Olise-level - almost right away to help bring some enthusiasm. Because right now, the vibes are so poor and I think next season will start with so much trepidation that the first signs of struggle will lead to a mutiny.
Are they really that sure that Slot is the guy? Willing to risk the immense blowback?
Radio 5 need to sort out their headline reading. Was just in the car and they said, “Arne Slot dismissed … (pause) … claims he would be replaced at the end of the season…”. Messing with me they are!
Expectations are a critical element. Klopp arrived with the 13/14 season a distant memory, Rodgers’ time having collapsed the following season and the club sitting 10th in the 15/16 season with a manifestly flawed squad. Klopp started with the club on the outside looking in on the European positions.
By contrast, Slot took over a side that had finished a comfortable 3rd, and the only reason there was a lack of optimism for the season was the simple fact that Klopp was gone. Slot then cruised to a title on a dominant run from August to January, setting the bar extremely high for himself. Everything about Slot’s tenure has felt like decline since about December 2024.
I wish someone would explain what these mitigating circumstances actually are, because given the scale of the concerns much of the fanbase now has, and the messaging reportedly coming out of the club, I am having difficulty marrying the two.
Success in the first season for me would be stabilizing us. Not struggling to finish Top4 because that’s a no go at this club. Bringing back some identity on and off the pitch. Making sure opponents are afraid to come to Anfield again. If we can’t win a match at least find a way to not get beaten (especially not 15 times a season).
It’s this that makes it feel believable that Slot will see out his final year of contract.
3 matches on tour in the US with basically all the academy + (unders) whatever age players this past year, who he already knows.
Because all the senior first team pro’s will have had additional training and matches for the World Cup also in the US, and then they will be given extra holiday family break time off before the start of next season.
Do you actually still believe Alonso (or any other incoming replacement) is gonna want to start a career with players that will probably never get to first team? The last oversees tour match is on August 2nd. Premier league starts 20 days later and everyone that took part in World Cup is still away on holiday.
Is that good enough preparation to spend with a group of first team players for what like max a week before you play competitive football again?
You might be right that it might not be a difference ultimately. To be sure, I want Slot sacked. But I think a top tier signing would give more than a glimmer of hope to start the season - one which wouldn’t make an iota of difference in the long run if the results don’t follow.
