Liverpool plunges into a deep crisis following the official announcement of Arne Slot’s departure, as he leaves Anfield after two seasons. After a dream debut, winning the Premier League in emphatic fashion, the second season was a disaster: the title defense quickly crumbled, the team finished only in fifth place, and the lack of trophies along with the criticized tactical approach left fans and experts on high alert. Now, the search for a replacement is urgent, and the name emerging with the most strength is Andoni Iraola, but the Reds’ squad is not expected to stop there.
Iraola, the current manager of Bournemouth, is the undisputed favorite to take the helm. This season, he led the Cherries to an impressive sixth place, securing for the first time in the club’s history a spot in European competitions. This achievement came even after losing key players like Kerkez, who moved to Anfield, and centre-backs Dean Huijsen and Illia Zabarnyi, transferred to Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively. The departure of winger Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City in January also didn’t help. In April, Iraola announced his exit from the English club to embrace a new challenge, and despite being linked with Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen, the allure of managing Liverpool in a new era seems too tempting to refuse. His philosophy of intense and aggressive football perfectly aligns with what fans and even Mohamed Salah, recently, have called for: a return to the “heavy mental football” that characterized previous seasons for the Reds.
Another name that appears on the list of potential successors is Marco Silva, who has been at the helm of Fulham for almost five seasons. Although he has not yet confirmed his departure, all signs point to him leaving the London club to take the coaching position at Benfica, where José Mourinho is expected to head to Real Madrid. Nevertheless, Silva is a coach who knows how to implement attractive football in the Premier League and could be a safe bet for Liverpool, although he does not have the same media impact as Iraola.
The Austrian Oliver Glasner also deserves recognition. His recent journey at Crystal Palace is impressive: he won three trophies, including the FA Cup in 2025, triumphed over Liverpool in the Community Shield, and secured the Conference League last Wednesday against Rayo Vallecano. Glasner typically plays with a three-center-back system, which would imply a significant tactical change at Anfield, but his versatility and adaptability could revitalize a team that, under Slot, has lost its freshness and dynamism.
In Germany, Sebastian Hoeness is an emerging star. In charge of Stuttgart, he led the team to two top-five finishes in the Bundesliga, including a second place in the 2023-24 season, and won the DFB-Pokal in 2025. His fast, offensive style of play produced 71 goals last season, the second-best record in the German league. He is undoubtedly a riskier bet for the Premier League, but a coach who deserves to be on the Reds’ radar.
Finally, one cannot forget Jurgen Klopp, the legendary manager who led Liverpool to undeniable glories and who has been without a team since his departure in 2024. Currently, Klopp is playing a less pressured role as Global Football Director at the Red Bull group, but rumors of a possible return to Anfield are already circulating strongly. A return for the German could be the boost the team needs to become an uncontested powerhouse once again.
The truth is that Liverpool is at a decisive crossroads. The choice of the new manager will not just be a matter of names, but of identity, ambition, and the ability to restore the club’s pride and glory in a season that promises to be one of total transformation. Iraola is the favorite, but the market offers intriguing options that could surprise and change the course of the Reds’ history. The next decision by the Anfield management will undoubtedly be one of the most crucial moments in recent years of English football.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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