Our next 3 fixtures are Bournemouth, Newcastle and City. Anything less than 5 points He is gone.
We would likely sit 6/7th in the league, the risk of losing £40-£60M of CL money will weigh heavily.
If United beat Arsenal, and sit above us, their bounce (having just beat city) will mean they have a momentum that will be very concerning to the odds of CL football.
With Sunderland and Forest after, both away. Tough schedule which includes 2 CL games and an FA cup tie.
I think you’re right, this run will make or break him.
Watching Bournemouth right now. That’s the first worry…..
Timed that well.
Brighton score a deserved goal a magnificent bike.
Bournemouth are so boring.
The only “cloud” over Alonso’s possible appointment at Liverpool that I’m seeing at the moment is how he reacts to what I perceive as crumbling of his dream to manage Real Madrid. That said, I don’t think he’ll consider joining another club prior to the summer.
I said it many, many times - I think he’s one of the most cunning, savvy people in football. Even if he leaves or rejects your club, he does it in such an elegant manner that you don’t feel rejected.
I felt he’d been planning his whole managerial career towards the ultimate goal of becoming a managerial legend at Real Madrid - so, what now when he needs to recalibrate his goals? Would he treat Liverpool as the pinnacle or a stepping stone?
That said, I don’t have many worries about the tactical side of his game. Real Madrid were mostly excellent under him according to stats - prime donne playing there were the end of him, that much was obvious. I’d be worried about the amount of injuries they were having while he was there, though, as well as our club’s hierarchy and probable necessity to have another summer of huge changes when it comes to playing personnel.
I’m pretty sure Xabi will give his normal 100% wherever his next job is. Another one of his ex-clubs or something completely new.
I don’t think this will crumble him, as in Real was his dream and everything else doesn’t motivate him enough. There are many different challenges that can be motivating, fulfilling.
And this was perhaps not his final opportunity at Real.
He knew what club he was joining and to become a Real coaching legend (because a Real legend he already is) for a long time… takes some work, it’s not something you can really plan or count on.
I’ve been expecting the latter for a few months now, but they’re letting him muddle along. I’m becoming increasingly convinced that they’ll keep Slot on until the end of the season.
I think this is the one slight benefit, if he had come here first the links to Madrid would soon have been around if he had been a success. I don’t think that will be there.
Is possibly Bayern but if he comes here you’d expect he would give it a good go for several years.
******“I think his future’s already set, to be honest. It’s been so pronounced, the decline, for such a long time. It is only a case of getting to the summer, albeit if he starts to lose six, seven on the bounce again, he will get bulleted because they’ll feel forced to go for an interim. They don’t want to change; they really would prefer not to.**David Lynch
That is some difficult fixtures for Slot. Bournemouth and newcastle might see draws. As for the city’s match, let’s hope that citeh have a similar collapse to what they experienced at old toilet!
For all we know, Xabi’s confidence has been ripped to shreds because of his RM sacking. Whose to say he won’t want another Bayer Leverkusen appointment first and foremost to re-build his self belief.
Enrique would be an interesting choice though. Experienced guy.
i strongly doubt it has knocked him around significantly enough to damage his career, and id imagine most clubs wouldnt even take it in a a factor to his suitability.
having said that, its not IMPOSSIBLE it hasnt knocked him around a bit.
as @Limiescouse said elsewhere, one of the issues with Slot coming in is his career has never had a set back until now, and there were question marks over how he reacts to that.
employing Alonso after his first set back will have its own jeopardy, but at least he had his first issues on someone elses football feild, its gonna be very very interesting to see what happens for Xabi next ( regardless of if its with us or not)
If one of the main issues with Slot is his challenge/inexperience working with, and managing several “big name” and up and coming super stars, then I think Xabi has the same problem. They both need another 5 years to get the experience and gain that ability to command respect and be a ruthless leader.
Pep, Ancelotti, Maureen, Klopp, and recently Enrique are managers with such credentials and experience.
Back to the problem with not making a change soon, I think FSG have already calculated the CL minus EL revenue and opportunity cost…
While there’s no guarantee that changing managers will deliver a CL spot, it seems to be more bullish than staying the course. Plus it’ll come with a renewed appetite for all LFC stakeholders. It’s sad that it’s about marketing, selling kits and TV contracts, isn’t it?
The calls to “Bring Xabi home” grate on me as Xabi has proved many times he just doesn’t like us as much as we like him.
What will we do when Arne leaves by mutual consent three weeks before Xabi is announced as Gladioli’s successor?
Then what?
I am almost certain the club will have a successor signed on the dotted line, before Slot is told
Of course. The hierarchy have proved they can handle transitions seamlessly. That’s why we’re having this conversation.
the transistion WAS seamless… we also then went on to win the league… no one anywhere can garuntee sustained success.
Slot might not even be done here…
well then we dont get Xabi as a manager.
Slot will be maintained in the job or not based onhis performance and our options otherwise.
if Slots sacked, id be gobsmacked if we dont have a candidate lined up and a few irons in the fire aswell.