Jamie Carragher explains Arne Slot concern and reveals who he'd 'prefer' as Liverpool boss
Jamie Carragher has warned Liverpool of the risks they may be taking if they appoint Arne Slot as the club's next manager.
This summer will see Jurgen Klopp leave his role at Anfield, ending close to a nine-year run as manager. Klopp confirmed his decision on his departure back in January, and ever since there has been speculation around who could be his successor.
Slot has emerged as the leading candidate to become the next Liverpool manager and even addressed the speculation while taking charge of Feyenoord's Eredivisie clash against Go Ahead Eagles on Thursday night.
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Slot has been in charge of Feyenoord since 2021 and guided the club to the Eredivisie title last season, and now Carragher has weighed in on the possibility of the Dutchman becoming the next Liverpool manager.
"If Klopp was in charge next season, Liverpool would move forward and challenge again at home and in Europe," he wrote in his column for The Telegraph. "With Slot, that absolute belief will give way to hope.
"That’s not intended in any way as a criticism of the incoming Dutchman. Once Klopp announced he was going and Xabi Alonso ruled himself out, Liverpool’s options were limited.
"No matter how brilliant Slot is – and no one wins a league title or leads a side to a European final without serious credentials – the next coach was always going to be highly regarded, but not one to necessarily get pulses racing. There is no one available to replicate Klopp’s aura, authority and natural connection with the supporters – that ‘X-factor’ which is so elusive.
"Since the Slot news broke, I have heard and read many perspectives suggesting that the choice makes sense tactically and how the data regarding Feynoord’s style makes him a natural fit. Slot is an appointment made with the head rather than the heart. Klopp’s appeal was to the head and heart."
Carragher later said: "I would have given more thorough consideration to a coach like Thomas Tuchel who took on and beat Pep Guardiola in the ultimate test - a Champions League final. Tuchel followed Klopp at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund and did well. It has not worked out at Bayern Munich this season, but you only have to look at Carlo Ancelotti and Unai Emery to recognise how top coaches recover from setbacks.
"If another English club takes Tuchel, that would convince me they will significantly improve, but my sense is Liverpool don’t want a coach with a reputation for being fractious.
"I would prefer a proven winner who could be difficult to manage to a coach who might be easy to manage but still have everything to prove.
"My overriding concern is this: does Slot move to England ready to take on Guardiola for the Premier League and Champions League? The new Liverpool manager must say from the outset he is here to win, not just compete."
