Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher expresses his theory for the club selecting “up and coming” Arne Slot over a “big name”
Jamie Carragher believes that football is in the era where Liverpool prefers an “up and coming” manager like Arne Slot. In January, Klopp announced that he was leaving the managerial role at Liverpool, leading to a thorough restructuring of the club.
FSG appointed Michael Edwards to oversee the footballing operation on their behalf and he appointed Richard Hughes as Sporting director. Edward and Hughes thoroughly searched for a suitable candidate to succeed Klopp with numerous name managerial floated by the media.
Carragher vocally supported the appointment of Xabi Alonso in the beginning but Alonso opted to stay at Bayer Leverkusen. The media earmarked Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim as the firm favourite to succeed Klopp after Alonso’s announcement.
However, Edwards and Hughes eventually pinpointed Feyenoord manager Slot as the perfect candidate to succeed Klopp at Anfield. Carragher has vocally supported the appointment of a proven name like Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel over Slot.
During the CBS coverage of the Champions League on Tuesday (h/t Liverpool Echo), Carragher explained his theory behind Liverpool’s choice. He said:
“My choice would have been Xabi Alonso. I don’t think right now, we’re in an era of managers of the past, big names. You think of [Jose] Mourinho, [Antonio] Conte, big names. Those managers aren’t there. I think we’re in an era now of up-and-coming managers. Ruben Amorim of Sporting CP and Arne Slot of Feyenoord were the two names [linked with Liverpool]. Most Liverpool fans who go to the match wouldn’t have really known who that man from Feyenoord [Slot] is. It’s not like bringing in Rafa Benitez, like when I was there, or Jurgen Klopp – who people were aware of. But I think that’s just the place we find ourselves in right now.”
Liverpool fans wanted Edwards because they have complete trust in the 44-year-old’s knowledge and use of in-depth research and data. While Carragher believes that Slot is an unknown for the Reds fanbase, someone like Tuchel is a big no.
Liverpool fans are very knowledgeable and well aware of Tuchel’s reputation in the clubs where he succeeded Klopp. Every news from Borussia Dortmund and Mainz after the departure of Tuchel pointed out the massive difference between the current Bayern manager and Klopp.
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Klopp installed a culture that balances success with the development of young players while working on a restricted budget. Slot has proven that during his tenure in the Netherlands, he can bring the best out of the players. While making the leap from the Dutch League to the Premier League is massive, Liverpool fans could rely on the hierarchy that oversees the new head coach.
