Liverpool told to consider ‘amazing’ shock Arne Slot alternative in new manager search

Liverpool have been told to consider a surprise contender to replace Jurgen Klopp.

The Reds are faced with appointing a new manager for the first time since October 2015, with Klopp set to step down at the end of the season. Feyenoord boss Arne Slot has emerged as the leading contender for the Liverpool job and the ECHO understands that the club have opened negotiations with the Dutch club.

Slot, who led Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title last season, is the latest leading favourite, with Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso and Sporting manager Ruben Amorim previously seen as frontrunners. However, the Reds have been told not to overlook another European coach, if the club do not finalise a deal for Slot.

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“The other one really has to be Paulo Fonseca of Lille, who were really close to knocking Villa out of the Europa Conference League,” European football expert Andy Brassell told Sky Sports News. “Fonseca’s been amazing for Lille over the last couple of years and really succeeded with Shakhtar before, taking a homeless club to three successive titles and success in the Champions League.

“Another brave, front-foot coach who’s very modern and connects with players on a different level. I would expect to see him turn up in the Premier League at some point soon. He’s out of contract at Lille at the end of the season.”

Fonseca won the league title in each of his three years with Shakhtar before guiding Roma to a fifth place finish and the Europa League semi-finals. The 51-year-old was appointed Lille manager in 2022, finishing fifth in his first season, and LOSC currently occupy fourth spot in Ligue 1.

Meanwhile, Amorim has been continually asked about his future as Sporting target a league and cup double. He travelled to England earlier this week to reportedly hold talks with West Ham United, though he has been viewed by bookmakers as a leading candidate for the Liverpool job

Speaking about Amorim, Brassell summarised: “He’s a terrific coach. You look at his record of success, which is outstanding, doing something similar to what Liverpool have done with Manchester City; Sporting competing with a bigger financial power in Benfica. He’s flexible. He has that human side that really connects with players as well.”