Liverpool boss Arne Slot has addressed the ongoing speculation around his future, with the Dutchman sending a defiant message on whether he will remain in charge next season
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has insisted he still expects to be in charge of Liverpool next season, despite the ongoing speculation surrounding his future.
The Reds travel to Aston Villa on Friday for their penultimate game of what has been a poor season for the reigning Premier League champions. With just two fixtures remaining, Champions League qualification is still not guaranteed.
A win tomorrow would see Liverpool secure a top-five finish, although anything less than three points could set up a nervy last day. Brentford visits Anfield on the final weekend, with both Bournemouth and Brighton currently still able to catch Slot’s side.
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The final two games come against a backdrop of ongoing speculation over Slot’s future, with Liverpool fans showing signs of losing patience with him after more booing during last weekend’s draw with Chelsea.
Rumors have been brought into sharper focus amid Chelsea’s talks with Xabi Alonso, with the former midfielder having been linked as a potential replacement for Slot, although Liverpool is understood to be sticking by the Dutchman.
Asked about his future during Thursday’s pre-match press conference, Slot said: “I don’t think I’m deciding that alone, but I have every reason to believe I will be Liverpool manager next season.
Chelsea’s talks with Xabi Alonso have seen the speculation around Arne Slot grow(Image: Getty Images)
“First of all, I am contracted to this club, and second of all, from all the talks we are having. So yeah, that is my take on it.
“If you don’t have the best season, especially if you compare it with last season and the other season, maybe you have a different debate. But if you compare it to last season, this has definitely not been a great season.
“Then it is also normal that criticism comes and we have all had our share – the players have had their share, the manager has had their share, people in the club have had their share. That is how things work nowdays if you don’t win the league.”
On the speculation around his future, Slot added: “I think the world has gone to if a manager, or a club, doesn’t have their best season, there is always a debate. It’s not only at Liverpool, it’s all around the world. That is the new reality in football.
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“It’s not up to me to judge the people that judge me. They have every right to their opinion, and in this modern time everyone can share their opinion as well.
“By the way, this happened 10 or 15 years ago as well, but then you did it in pub and not everyone heard it. Now, it’s probably also done in a pub, if I read what they are saying they must have drunk a little bit! But now it’s more out in the open than it was back in the day.
“That’s the same everywhere, so I would be surprised if it was different here at Liverpool.”
Asked about the planning for next season, the Liverpool boss said: “We know where we go on tour. Plans have been made, talks have been ongoing between the club and new players, and I am involved in that if that’s what you want to know.”
