Arne Slott intends to remain at Liverpool despite mounting pressure and reported interest from Dutch giants Ajax. The Dutchman has endured a tough second season at Anfield following his success in leading the Reds to the Premier League title last season.
Sunday’s 3-2 defeat to bitter rivals Manchester United leaves Liverpool languishing in fourth place in the table, 18 points behind leaders Arsenal. Slott’s future at Anfield is under serious scrutiny due to the club’s dismal form. However, the Dutch player doesn’t seem to be going anywhere in the near future. According to reports in Dutch media, Ajax were eyeing Slott as they look for a permanent successor to Fred Grimm.
The Eredivisie side contacted Slott, but it is said that they were immediately turned down. The 47-year-old is firmly established at Anfield and has no intention of joining Ajax at this point in his managerial career.
He is still under contract with the Merseyside club until 2027. Previous reports indicate that Liverpool’s top brass are firmly behind Slott and intend to give him the time he needs to turn around the club’s fortunes.
Former Liverpool star Didi Hamann gave a glimpse of his future, saying: “I’ve heard that Arne Slott will be there next season. I think there’s probably an argument that a change of manager should or should have happened.”
“But Liverpool have always been very loyal to their manager. Of course he won the league last season, so I think this decision is acceptable to me and I think most fans will be as well if we can finish the season decently.”
“Then obviously we have to see what happens in the summer after the World Cup with the players leaving. Obviously Andy Robertson leaves, Mohamed Salah leaves. But certainly I think it’s an understandable decision.”
“Probably for the first time in a while Liverpool fans are divided. The fan base is very knowledgeable and Liverpool don’t usually sack managers. Things have obviously changed in the last 10 or 12 years because the game has changed and managers have to leave their jobs sooner than they did 20 or 25 years ago.”
“But usually when the fanbase changes, it’s only a matter of time before a manager has to leave. In the case of Arne Slott, I think opinion is divided because of what he did last season. I think it’s probably the first time in a long time that we’ve been so divided.”
