'If a change was to be made': Alonso is not first choice to take over at Liverpool if Slot is sacked - Ornstein
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Xabi Alonso is unlikely to be the man to replace Arne Slot if he is sacked as Liverpool head coach this summer, according to journalist David Ornstein.With Slot under serious pressure having led the Reds to a disastrous season, Alonso had seemed like the natural favourite to arrive.However, Ornstein has reiterated that Slot is safe, and has now added that even if a change were to be made at Liverpool, their former midfielder is not in line to take over. Is a fifth-place finish enough to warrant Arne Slot remaining Liverpool manager?
Credit: Shaun Brooks/CameraSport/Getty Images Alonso ‘not on Liverpool’s agenda’As a title-winning manager and a former player with a big existing connection to Liverpool, Alonso would be a natural choice to replace Slot.In fact, his unexpected availability after being sacked by Real Madrid is part of the reason why so many are keen to see the current head coach leave.But after being asked about the likelihood of Alonso being in the mix for the top job at Anfield during a Q&A with fans for The Athletic, Ornstein said that the 44-year-old is simply ‘not on the agenda’ for FSG.“As I mentioned on yesterday’s podcast, Arjun, I’m not aware of Alonso being on Liverpool’s agenda,” he said. Photo by Ryan Crockett/DeFodi Images via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Richard Hughes has made his final decision about leaving Liverpool this summer“People might not like to hear that and if I’m proved wrong you can all laugh at me – however I can only relay the information I source and corroborate at a particular time.“Their intention is to continue with Slot (obviously if things completely unravel we might be having a different conversation) and even if a change was to be made (Slot is only contracted until 2027 and there don’t appear to be any talks yet over an extension) I don’t have any information to suggest Alonso would be in line to replace him.”So, who could replace Slot?As reliable as Ornstein usually is, and the strength of his reply here, it may be time for Liverpool supporters to forget about Alonso joining.First and foremost, it does not look at all like Slot is going anytime soon, so fans are going to have to square that circle initially.But if things do unravel to the extent that FSG need to make a change either in the summer or early next season, it will be fascinating to see who would arrive.
Is Andoni Iraola the right man to replace Arne Slot this summer? 🤔 Credit: Robin Jones/AFC Bournemouth/Getty Images With Slot’s contract due to end next year, and with no talks over an extension, the Liverpool owners are surely looking ahead to who could become available.Luis Enrique would be a brilliant option, but now looks set to sign a new deal with PSG, while Liverpool could possibly look at a young, up and coming coach such as Sebastian Hoeness or even Cesc Fabregas.Andoni Iraola should be in the mix as he comes to the end of his Bournemouth contract, but with the Basque likely to walk into a new job immediately, Liverpool look likely to let him pass them by too. This will not be welcome news amongst the supporter-base, and, as popular as Alonso is, the biggest disappointment will be that Slot is seemingly set to pay no price for leading Liverpool into some of their worst form for half a century.