The search for a NEW LFC Manager Thread - Arne Slot (?)

Let's remember that all of this is speculation fueled by largely uninformed, and unscrupulous, reporters. I do think Alonso is so obviously a good choice for any number of top clubs that it is likely he'll be fielding offers from multiple clubs this spring. But the supposition that he's gone from a main target of FSG, but one that the owners are wondering might not have enough history, to one we may not have a chance at hiring - well that whole storyline is based on nothing but rumor and innuendo.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Klopp wouldn't have announced his retirement without the club having a pretty good idea of who they were definitely going to be able to replace him with. I'd bet it was a bit more involved than "informally." I just can't see Klopp announcing that he's leaving without some pretty concrete succession plan already in place. It just doesn't make sense for him to say anything otherwise. He could just as easily have kept his counsel until the season was over. There has been some speculation that there might have been upcoming publication of these developments. But I think that if he'd told the FSG brass they certainly wouldn't have let this news out. More likely rumors would have gotten going once the club had reached out to potential replacements. That's when the number of people who knew about Klopp's decision would have increased, and when those people would have had some reason to "leak" that information.

 

I remember the game where he brought Dortmund to Anfield for a friendly in August 2014. I think even then there was some wishful thinking here in the forum along the lines of... "wouldn't it be great if we could get him to replace Rodgers?" I know I certainly was thinking this. As much as Rodgers got us close to the title earlier that year, there was a lot of frustration with some of the decisions (not the least the way the final game against Crystal Palace was played). I remember before the game Klopp was looking around and reacting to the pre-game YNWA song... I bet he'd already been contacted by FSG, and they were showing off the stadium to him.

 

Me. I am almost sure he has no interest in Bayern apart from the I'm flattered variety.

 

I would suspect that the Leverkusen fans would prefer he went to Liverpool rather than Bayern. Joining Bayern would damage his legacy with the Leverkusen fans.

The last time Leverkusen had a season like this was 2002 when Michael Ballack led them to the Champions League final. Ballack of course immediately joined Bayern.

Hopefully Alonso will break the tradition of everyone who has any success in the Bundesliga joining Bayern…….….like Klopp did.

 

Pep Lijnders pre Chelsea press conference was outstanding. A part of me is sad that we didn’t at least try to continue the ride with Pep as boss. I think he could be a brilliant manager. Link to the press conference below:

 

Down the road. I think he's pretty intelligent as well, and realizes that coming in right after Klopp is a no win situation. I think he also wants to go get some true managerial experience and then see what happens.

 

Xabi watch:

3 more points for Leverkusen. Now 11 point gap at the top, with Bayern facing a tough game against RB Leipzig tomorrow.