Liverpool 13-man shortlist before hiring Arne Slot could hint at possible replacement
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Arne Slot was one of 13 people on a shortlist to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool in 2024, and many of those candidates could be in the frame again if a change is made this summerRuben Amorim won't be Liverpool's next head coach but Andoni Iraola could be(Image: 2024 AFC Bournemouth)Arne Slot's position at Liverpool looks unstable as we head toward the end of the season, with many observers expecting him to be out of a job in the summer.Slot instantly became a hero after replacing Jurgen Klopp in 2024 as Liverpool won the title in the Dutchman's first season in charge, but that hero status has since disappeared with a lot of supporters due to the team's struggles this term.The Reds have lost 10 Premier League games in 2025-26 and sit 21 points behind league leader Arsenal, having long since surrendered the title. Slot's men remain in Champions League and FA Cup contention, but tricky ties against Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City respectively await in those competitions.
It's worth noting it's been a difficult year for Slot due to injuries and issues off the field.READ MORE: Mohamed Salah's wife 'does not like' what he did to their home as sacrifice madeREAD MORE: Mohamed Salah's private message to Micah Richards about Liverpool emergesBehind the scenes, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes will surely be working together to identify possible replacements for Slot in the event that he is removed from his position.Xabi Alonso is the name that has been most strongly linked with replacing Slot, following his Real Madrid exit earlier this year.According to The Athletic, Alonso was one of 12 names that were considered alongside Slot when Liverpool searched for Klopp's replacement two years ago.The others were Ernesto Valverde, Luciano Spalletti, Sebastian Hoeness, Michel, Ruben Amorim, Roberto De Zerbi, Julian Nagelsmann, Andoni Iraola, Eddie Howe, Simone Inzaghi and Paulo Fonseca.Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is under pressure(Image: Getty Images)The soccer management landscape changes frequently, and although some of those names could certainly still interest Liverpool two years on, there are others that certainly will not.Amorim, obviously, will not be managing Liverpool any time soon, while Spalletti has since taken over at Juventus.Howe and Iraola could be two appealing options, though, due to their Premier League experience and their impressive achievements with Newcastle and Bournemouth respectively.De Zerbi is another with Premier League experience but he is combustible and currently without a job after a breakdown in relations with his Marseille squad.READ MORE: Liverpool cult hero has not played for two years and is still only 30READ MORE: How Liverpool could finish sixth and still secure Champions League place next seasonNagelsmann is a name that carries gravitas, and although he is currently the Germany manager, the end of a World Cup cycle often sees international managers move on to something new.Valverde and Inzaghi have experience of managing huge clubs, having been at Barcelona and Inter Milan respectively.Girona manager Michel, Stuttgart boss Hoeness and Lyon's Fonseca are probably the least-known quantities to followers of English soccer from that shortlist, but have done promising things with their teams.Given we're nearly two years on from Liverpool appointing Slot, there will undoubtedly be other names on the club's radar as possible replacements for the under-fire boss.