Liverpool supporters are restlessly awaiting the end of the season and a firm decision on the future of Arne Slot.
The Reds will finally bring the curtain down on a miserable campaign this Sunday, with an ‘end of season review’ slated to take place to determine what will happen with Slot.
For now, the expectation is that the Dutchman will continue and be given a chance to turn things around next year. But if Slot cannot do that and the rot has set in deeper than initially feared, it is becoming clear that Andoni Iraola will be the man chosen by the Liverpool owners to step in.
Is Andoni Iraola the right man to replace Arne Slot this summer? 🤔
Iraola could take over at Liverpool mid-season
Rumours have ramped up during the week that Iraola is Liverpool’s first choice if Slot leaves, and it is not hard to see why.
The Basque has a very defined style of football which would likely go down very well at Anfield. High energy, fast, attacking football has been in limited supply for the Reds this season, and Iraola would provide that and then some.
As he prepares to leave Bournemouth, the managerial options for the 43-year-old are beginning to dwindle. It has been reported that Iraola would prefer to stay in the Premier League next season, but with Chelsea, Man United, Man City and Tottenham all having decided upon their new managers, there is no vacancy that would catch his eye.
As a result, it has been suggested that Iraola would be happy to wait for Liverpool and see what happened in the new season. With the Reds willing to back Slot for the time being, that might just suit them perfectly.
READ MORE: Liverpool to hold end of season meeting with Andoni Iraola a candidate to replace Arne Slot
Slot knows he has to deliver as soon as possible
Throughout the second half of the season, Slot’s position has come under greater scrutiny thanks to the unexpected availability of Xabi Alonso.
However, it has since become crystal clear that Liverpool never had any intention of hiring Alonso.
The Spaniard was keen to take a new job over the summer regardless, and with the Reds still hoping that Slot can bring success back next season, that made him a non-starter.
Iraola’s situation is different, though, and while it remains possible that an attractive job comes up early into the new season, it feels more likely that he will still be free by the autumn time.
FSG would be crazy to keep Arne Slot if Liverpool lose to Brentford… right?
13 Premier League defeats would be more than Brendan Rodgers’ last full season!!
If Liverpool start the season poorly, things are going to become incredibly toxic within the fanbase. FSG will have little choice but to remove Slot.
That decision will become easier in the event that Iraola is still around and is ready to implement a style of football which could bring about some positive change.
Liverpool will know that the former Rayo Vallecano boss will not be on the market forever, though, so it really will be make or break for Slot during those early months of the campaign.
Start as badly as the season has ended, and it is easy to see Liverpool making a quick decision, as they did with Brendan Rodgers in 2015, and turning to Iraola before the end of 2026.
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