ARNE SLOT will be sacked midway through his first season at Liverpool, according to a Football Manager simulation.
The Dutchman, 45, is the favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield and has confirmed his desire to leave Feyenoord for the Merseyside club.
But some Reds fans have reservations as to whether he has the credentials to step up and be successful in the Premier League.
And Football Manager 2024 will give Liverpool fans little hope when it comes to Slot’s arrival.
90Min carried out a simulation for Slot at Liverpool, with the head coach arriving at Anfield on July 1, beating Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou to the vacancy.
He implements a 4-2-3-1 formation and enjoys a six-game unbeaten run during pre-season.
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He also begins to bed in Benfica winger Ricardo Horta – who joined for £25.5million before Klopp’s departure.
Poor start puts pressure on Slot
However, an underwhelming start to the Premier League campaign leads to Slot moving Trent Alexander-Arnold into one of the two holding midfield roles.
But the poor run of form continues as Liverpool suffer five defeats in their opening 12 matches against Aston Villa, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Tottenham and Arsenal.
Slot’s men improve across October and November as the fans begin to believe a little more in their new manager.
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Slot snubbed Spurs, hates defending and has a PASS named after him
By Dan King
LIVERPOOL managerial target Arne Slot was a good enough player to have a type of pass named after him.
But it is as a manager that the Feyenoord head coach is really making his mark.
Like another bald Dutchman, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, Slot earned his stripes bossing smaller sides before being given a chance at one of the Netherlands’ big three.
But the question Liverpool are pondering is whether Slot would make a better fist of running one of the biggest clubs in the world than Ten Hag so far has at Old Trafford.
Slot, 45, was certainly easier on the eye as a player than centre back Ten Hag.
“The Arne Slot Ball” was something he perfected as a silky No 10 – a back-to-goal, first-time, 180-degree spin and flick behind the defensive line for a winger to run on to deep in the opposition half.
Click here to read all about the incoming Liverpool boss.
And he is backed by the owners in the January window as he signs RB Salzburg midfielder Maurits Kjaergaard for £40.5m.
But he is forced to remain patient as Alexis Mac Allister continues in the No10 role.
Results then begin to turn again in early 2025 as pressure grows on Slot.
Difficult start to 2025
Draws with Brentford and Crystal Palace are accompanied by defeats to Norwich and Nottingham Forest.
They do progress against Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League despite an Alexander-Arnold red card.
But a difficult run of fixtures brings about defeats to Chelsea and Man City, before Liverpool bosses put Slot out of his misery and give him the sack.
Salah fails to deliver
One player who is thoroughly underwhelming during Slot’s seven-month stint is Mo Salah.
The Egyptian stays with Liverpool in the summer despite Klopp’s departure, but his form drops off a cliff.
He scores just eight Premier League goals and 13 in all competitions – having previously netted 23 or more in each of his seven campaigns at the club.
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De Zerbi replaces Slot
Slot’s departure brings about an opportunity for another Premier League manager in the form of Roberto De Zerbi.
In the game, the Italian leaves Brighton for Liverpool – just months after he was linked with the move in real life.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
