Arne Slot sack fate sealed as top journalist reveals FSG plans to appoint big-name Liverpool successor…

Arne Slot’s dismissal appears inevitable as a leading journalist discloses FSG’s intentions to appoint a high-profile successor for Liverpool.

Liverpool’s management has reached a conclusion to terminate Arne Slot’s contract, with a credible journalist indicating the likely timing of this decision and suggesting that FSG has already selected his successor at Anfield.

The Merseyside club has faced challenges in their title defense, a surprising turn of events considering the substantial £440m (€505m, $600m) investment in new players during the summer. Although the Reds are still vying for a top-four finish and have opportunities to secure trophies in both the FA Cup and the Champions League, the season has not been smooth for the Dutch coach.

A dismal autumn period saw the team suffer nine losses in 12 matches; a disheartening streak that prompted the Liverpool Echo to report that Slot was merely a week away from being dismissed following a heavy 4-1 defeat at home to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

However, Liverpool has since managed to remain unbeaten in 12 matches, yet their performances have been far from reassuring, with dropped points against teams like Leeds United (twice), Sunderland, Burnley, and Fulham indicating a squad that is not performing at last season’s impressive level.

Currently, according to reputable Liverpool journalist David Lynch, the club’s owners, FSG, believe a change is necessary at Anfield, although they are hesitant to make a managerial switch midway through the season.

Lynch insists that the decision to part ways with Slot will occur at the end of the season – a conclusion bolstered by their primary target, Xabi Alonso, choosing to delay his return to management until summer, aligning their plans.

“They clearly, clearly want to see the season through with Slot if possible,” Lynch stated during an interview with Anfield Index. “They are reluctant to implement a mid-season managerial change due to the uncertainty of finding a suitable interim replacement. It would be more advantageous to execute the managerial transition in the summer.

“I believe his future is already determined, to be honest. The decline has been so evident for quite some time. It’s merely a matter of reaching the summer, although if he begins to lose six or seven matches consecutively again, he will be dismissed because they will feel compelled to seek an interim solution. However, they are reluctant to make a change; they genuinely prefer to avoid it.”

Regarding the links to Alonso and the necessity to wait for the Spaniard, Lynch remarked: “Then it’s essentially about pursuing a manager in the summer. People are suggesting to go after Xabi Alonso, but he’s unlikely to want to step into a role at this moment, so it would have to be an interim, and I don’t believe there’s much available out there.”

Liverpool has four potential candidates to replace Slot – Sources

Earlier this month, before Alonso was dismissed by Real Madrid, our correspondent Fraser Fletcher reported that FSG has established ‘contingency plans’ should they opt to terminate Slot’s contract, with sources indicating FOUR intriguing names on their list.

Nevertheless, while credible sources assert that his position is “not currently at risk,” with no intentions for a mid-season change, discussions regarding a contract extension – once considered a certainty following last season’s success – have been postponed due to the recent decline in form.

Slot himself has recognized the challenges, mentioning injuries, vulnerabilities in set-pieces, and the difficulties of transitioning from Jurgen Klopp’s high-intensity style.

“We are in the position we deserve after the first half of the season,” he acknowledged earlier this winter, while expressing optimism that improvements are forthcoming.

However, while the manager appears secure for the time being, significant changes are believed to be planned for the summer; claims that have since been corroborated by Lynch.

Tensions escalated on Saturday following Liverpool’s inability to secure a win against Burnley, with a goal from Marcus Edwards leveling the score at Anfield.

In the wake of that disappointing draw, FSG has chosen NOT to dismiss Slot.

According to James Pearce from The Athletic, Liverpool’s owners are not planning to follow the examples set by Chelsea, Manchester United, and the soon-to-be Tottenham by dismissing their managers who are under pressure.

Pearce stated: “Slot has the support of FSG, who do not intend to imitate the actions of their rivals Manchester United and Chelsea by making a managerial change during the season.”

However, while Slot is currently secure in his position, the availability of Xabi Alonso in the job market has altered the dynamics somewhat.

Pearce added: “To prevent losing support from the fanbase, he must quickly regain momentum. Initially, there seemed to be no clear alternative for those calling for change. This is no longer true following Xabi Alonso’s departure from Real Madrid.

Alonso, who has a strong connection with Liverpool from his playing days on Merseyside between 2004 and 2009, would have been a prime candidate to take over from Jurgen Klopp in 2024 if he had not committed to staying at Bayer Leverkusen for another year.

“Slot then became the clear first choice for FSG’s CEO of football Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes in their data-driven search.

“It remains uncertain when or where Alonso will seek a new opportunity, but with each setback Liverpool faces, the pressure will increase. Slot can only quell this by addressing the challenges in front of him.

“Champions League qualification is the bare minimum expectation, and that is far from guaranteed with United just one point behind and Chelsea two points behind.