Next Liverpool manager: odds & favourites if Arne Slot is sacked
Just a few months ago, it would have been unthinkable to see Arne Slot under this level of pressure. In his debut season, he guided Liverpool to the Premier League title, and over the summer the club spent heavily to stay on top. Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike arrived for a combined €365 million.
At the start of 2026, the league picture remains unstable. Liverpool sit fourth, but are almost certainly out of the top-three race. Several clubs are closing in from below, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle United, and unless results improve, Liverpool face a very real risk of missing out on Champions League qualification. Talk of a managerial change has been ongoing since the autumn.
Next Liverpool manager
This season, Arne Slot has been a regular feature in the next manager to be sacked market. In early December, bookmakers priced his departure at 4.50, making him third favourite in the odds.
By the end of January 2026, Slot’s position had slightly stabilised, with his odds drifting to 7.00. At the same time, Thomas Frank is now seen as the most likely next casualty, which explains the longer price on the Liverpool head coach.
Does Arne Slot have a chance of staying?
Despite the inconsistency, Slot is almost certain to remain in charge until the summer. Liverpool’s hierarchy rarely make drastic mid-season decisions. At Anfield, there is a strong belief in a long-term development strategy, with little reaction to short-term setbacks.
There is also a genuine opportunity to finish in the top four. Things are far from disastrous in the Champions League either, where Liverpool are likely to reach the knockout stage. The FA Cup campaign is still alive as well.
Xabi Alonso, the leading candidate and fans’ dream
After his dismissal from Real Madrid, Alonso would only need to wait for a call from Liverpool’s owners before heading to England. The Spaniard is the clear favourite to become the next manager, and supporters are eagerly anticipating his appointment.
At Liverpool, Alonso would enjoy far greater freedom and resources to implement his footballing vision. The club’s big-money summer signings were made with Slot in mind, and offloading surplus players would not be an issue.
Moreover, Alonso is a club legend, and rumours of his return have been circulating for several seasons. Last year, a move was unrealistic. Sacking Slot after a Premier League title would have made little sense, while Alonso himself could not turn down Real Madrid.
A reunion with Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, players he developed at Bayer Leverkusen, would be fascinating, as would Alonso’s adaptation to Premier League football. Should Liverpool decide to part ways with Slot, the former Real Madrid coach would be an ideal successor.
Luis Enrique, a new challenge for the Spaniard?
Links with Luis Enrique are not without foundation. The Spaniard walked away from the first lifetime contract in football history at Paris Saint-Germain and has repeatedly spoken about his desire to work in the Premier League.
Enrique has previously been linked with Chelsea, but wisely declined approaches from London, aware of the club’s tendency towards hasty sackings and chaotic recruitment.
On paper, Liverpool could be an attractive destination. The squad has a strong balance between youth and experience, and the board is prepared to give a new coach time to adapt his style.
However, Enrique is under contract until 2027, and PSG have no intention of releasing a coach who delivered the club’s long-awaited Champions League trophy. In addition, Liverpool’s strategic focus is shifting towards younger, more modern managers.
Oliver Glasner, still on the radar
Bookmakers now have less faith in Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner than they did at the end of November, when he was among the favourites at 3.00.
The Austrian took charge of the London club last year and immediately won over the fans. Roy Hodgson is barely mentioned anymore. This season, Glasner has beaten Liverpool twice, both times in cup competitions. One of those victories denied the team a trophy, with Crystal Palace lifting the Super Cup at Wembley after a penalty shootout.
In recent weeks, Glasner has openly criticised the Palace hierarchy and is almost certain to leave the club. The only questions are when and where. There is concrete interest from Tottenham Hotspur, where Thomas Frank appears to be nearing the end, while a return to the Bundesliga is also being discussed after Glasner’s Europa League success with Eintracht Frankfurt.
Glasner would have been an intriguing option in the pre-Klopp era, but at this stage, there is a sense he may fall short of Liverpool’s expectations.
Outsiders, Iraola and Gerrard
Among the long list of names, there are a few outsiders worth mentioning, despite their limited chances.
Current AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has earned a place on the shortlist. His side play bold, attacking football despite modest financial resources. Over the summer, Bournemouth lost two key players. Dean Huijsen broke into the Real Madrid first team, while Ilya Zabarnyi moved to Paris Saint-Germain. Even if Iraola does not replace Slot, his move to a bigger club feels inevitable.
Another name forever linked with Liverpool is Steven Gerrard. A club icon and symbol of Anfield, his chances of taking over are extremely slim.
After a promising start at Rangers, Gerrard backed himself to succeed in the Premier League. His spell at Aston Villa ended in failure, followed by an unsuccessful stint at Al-Ettifaq. The former Liverpool midfielder has been out of work for around a year since leaving the Saudi club in January 2025.
As much as supporters might dream of Gerrard’s return to Anfield, it is highly unlikely to be as head coach. Liverpool are competing for the very highest honours, and unfortunately, Steven Gerrard does not yet possess the credentials required at that level.
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