Odds Slashed on Zinedine Zidane Replacing Arne Slot at Liverpool…

Odds Reduced on Zinedine Zidane Potentially Replacing Arne Slot at Liverpool.

Zidane has been unemployed since departing from Real Madrid for the second time in 2021.

Zinedine Zidane has emerged as one of the top contenders among bookmakers to assume the managerial role at Liverpool should the club choose to dismiss Arne Slot.

Liverpool has suffered five losses in their last six matches across all competitions, marking their worst performance since Slot became manager last summer.

They faced a 3-2 defeat against Brentford on Saturday, a result that positions them in seventh place in the Premier League standings.

Currently, there seems to be no sense of urgency at Anfield, considering Liverpool clinched last season’s Premier League title and had won all five of their league matches prior to this ongoing winless streak.

Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s owners, have only terminated the contracts of three managers – Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish, and Brendan Rodgers – since they gained majority control of the club back in 2010.

Nonetheless, the Reds’ disappointing performance has inevitably led to some pressure on Slot from certain factions of Liverpool fans.

Betfair has now revised their odds regarding the next Liverpool manager, revealing some unexpected shifts.

Oliver Glasner, the manager of Crystal Palace, is currently the frontrunner at 3/1 to replace Slot, while Andoni Iraola from Bournemouth is listed at 4/1.

Zidane stands as the third favorite at 9/2, with Germany’s coach Julian Nagelsmann having odds of 7/1.

A surprising return to Anfield for Jurgen Klopp, who is now the global head of football for Red Bull, is set at 9/1.

What has Zidane expressed about Liverpool?

Zidane has previously spoken highly of Liverpool, referring to Anfield as the best away stadium during an interview with Real Madrid’s official YouTube channel.

Before the 2021 Champions League quarter-final, where Zidane’s Real Madrid team triumphed over Liverpool in two legs, the Frenchman commended Klopp’s efforts in transforming the Reds into a ‘complete team’.

“They are a well-rounded team,” he stated to the media. “While some may highlight the trio of forwards [Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino], which is indeed accurate,

“I believe they function as a robust and cohesive unit. My emphasis is on the team as a whole. That said, the three forwards are exceptionally effective. We must remain vigilant.”

However, similar to the strong speculation surrounding his potential appointment at Manchester United, Zidane would face challenges if he were to be asked to manage Liverpool.

The 1998 Ballon d’Or recipient mentioned to L’Equipe in 2022 that he is not entirely fluent in English—though he comprehends the language—and that this could pose a barrier should he transition to English football.

“When people ask me, ‘Do you wish to go to Manchester?” he remarked. “I understand English, but I do not have complete mastery of it. I am aware that some coaches join clubs without knowing the language, but my approach is different.”

Zidane’s managerial experience in football has solely been with Real Madrid, where he managed their Castilla team from 2014 to 2016 and then the senior team on two separate occasions.

He played at the Bernabeu for five years and became fluent in Spanish.

Even though he departed Real in 2021 and has not taken on a new role since, he has been frequently mentioned as a potential successor to Didier Deschamps as the manager of France following the 2026 World Cup next summer.