“Liverpool considers future without Arne Slot and looks at Andoni Iraola.”

The crisis at Liverpool is far from being resolved, and according to French sources, the future of Arne Slot at the helm of the Reds is being seriously questioned. Following a disastrous season, the club’s management is starting to prepare the ground for a possible change as the league approaches its conclusion.

The Dutch coach, who has already seen his popularity plummet, is facing increasing pressure after a disappointing second year in charge of Liverpool. Sources close to the team’s control structure, namely the FSG group, are showing “growing alarm” at the steep decline in performance since winning the Premier League just a year ago. Despite this, reputable outlets like The Athletic still report that Slot retains, at least for now, the support of decision-makers at Anfield. However, the tide may be turning.

According to the French newspaper Foot Mercato, the Reds’ management does not rule out the possibility of dismissing Slot after the home game against Brentford, scheduled for Sunday. Sporting director Richard Hughes is said to have “discreetly activated a contact he knows perfectly”: Andoni Iraola, former Bournemouth manager and one of the standout figures in the market. Hughes, who worked directly with Iraola three years ago, believes the Spanish coach possesses traits highly valued at Anfield: “exceptional tactical adaptability, humility, a focus on teamwork, and a clear commitment to the development of young players.”

Iraola, 43, has impressed with the way he has transformed Bournemouth, leading the club to a historic qualification for European competitions. His intense and attacking style of play has earned his team 57 goals in the Premier League this season, one of the best records in the league, and an unbeaten streak of 17 matches in the competition, which only ended on January 3 against Arsenal. All this, despite losing 75% of his starting defense in the last transfer window, demonstrating resilience and a strong work ethic.

The atmosphere at Anfield has been particularly toxic lately, as evidenced by the 1-1 draw against Chelsea and the early exit of many fans during the match against Aston Villa. The patience of supporters seems to be wearing thin, and a change in management at the end of the season would already be welcomed by a large portion of the fanbase.

Slot views the upcoming match against Brentford as a crucial mission to secure qualification for the Champions League, but this could be his final challenge as Liverpool’s manager. Should the board decide to pursue a change, Andoni Iraola emerges as the strongest candidate to take on one of the biggest challenges in European football.

The imminent shift in the Reds’ strategy could mark the end of a cycle and the beginning of a new era, with the next few hours being decisive for the future of Arne Slot and the fate of Liverpool next season. Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.