Slot has 'every reason to believe' he will remain as Liverpool boss
Arne Slot is confident he will remain as Liverpool boss next season (Darren Staples) Arne Slot dismissed speculation over his future as Liverpool manager on Thursday, despite a disappointing campaign, with the Dutchman already involved in planning for next season. Liverpool sit fourth in the Premier League, 20 points adrift of leaders Arsenal, just a year on from winning the title in Slot's first season in charge. The Reds splashed out a record £450 million ($609 million) on new players last summerm but that investment has so far reaped little reward.
Injuries to key players have hampered Slot all season, while the club has also had to come to terms with the death of Diogo Jota in a car accident in July. "I don't think I am deciding that alone but I have every reason to believe I am the Liverpool manager next season," said Slot at his pre-match press conference ahead of Friday's trip to Aston Villa. "First of all I am contracted to the club and second of all from all the talks we are having.
That is my take on it. " A place in the top five will secure Champions League qualification and Liverpool have a four-point cushion over sixth-placed Bournemouth with two games to go. But frustration towards Slot has been growing among the Anfield crowd over recent months.
There were loud boos at full-time of last weekend's 1-1 draw against struggling Chelsea and howls of derision at his decision to replace Rio Ngumoha during that match. "I think the world has gone to where if a manager or a club doesn't have the best season, there is always a debate. That is all around the world, not only at Liverpool.
That is the new reality in football," added Slot. "It is not up to me to judge the people who judge me. They have every right ot have their opinion.