Will it? Is the fact Maresca or Amorin are available hanging over him?
If he hadn’t played here it wouldn’t remotely be an issue. But the fact he has only makes a difference to fans. It won’t matter to the people making decisions.
I think there is something in it. Not United levels of “DNA!!!” - but an understanding of the club, it’s values and expectations of the fans is a help.
I’m referring to the fans, not the owners or Edwards/Hughes. I think for the overall atmosphere, it would’ve been better if this hadn’t happened now, but it has.
It’s exactly that “United DNA” nonsense that I’m on about. You want someone who fits your culture and club but ultimately that only goes so far. Didn’t do much for him at Madrid.
I don’t see the likes of Werner and Henry getting all misty eyed for a former player who pre-dates them.
I don’t think any of us will know for sure but the noises at the time were very much that they didn’t think he’d be available and Slot was a better fit for the existing squad.
But we have a manager whose approach has worked here. And his CV is better than Alonso’s. Only thing Alonso has that Slot doesn’t is that he used to play here.
Yeah, I believe the stories back then were that he was our #1 choice until it was revealed that he wasn’t prepared to leave Leverkusen. I think even Joyce reported he was our leading candidate.
I think the suspicion back then was that he wanted the Real Madrid gig, there were strong signs pointing Ancelotti towards the exit in a year, and he didn’t want to take the Liverpool job only to bolt for Real Madrid after one season. I’m guessing that Perez probably tapped him up and told him to wait.
It is possible that the club would have picked Slot, anyway. But Xabi was coming off an undefeated campaign with a Bundesliga title at Leverkusen. The links made sense even from a footballing point of view.
His approach is not working currently. And his CV is bolstered by the Premier League title last year, certainly, but you could argue that Alonso’s performance at Leverkusen was more impressive than anything Slot did prior to coming here.
And Alonso’s approach hasn’t worked outside of Leverkusen. Yet.
Yes, Slot’s CV is bolstered by winning the league here. That’s how CVs work. You could argue Alonso winning with Leverkusen is more impressive than Slot winning with Feyenoord. But you can’t argue that Alonso winning with Leverkusen is more impressive than Slot winning with Feyenoord and Liverpool.
Love Alonso. If Slot left tomorrow, in the summer or any time in-between then I would be delighted to see Xabi come in. But I wouldn’t be sacking Slot because Alonso is now available and nor do I think the owners/execs would either.