Andoni Iraola’s odds to be the next permanent Liverpool manager have been slashed, with Arne Slot looking in serious danger of losing his job. After the high of winning the Premier League last season, it has been a very tough campaign for the Reds, despite a summer of heavy investment into their title-winning squad.
Slot's Struggles This Season
Slot’s side won their first five games of the season but have been extremely unreliable since then and head into the final weekend of the season fifth, where they are likely to finish. The Reds have not been beyond the quarter-finals of any cup competition, and pressure has been building on the Dutchman, possibly to breaking point.
The manager’s style of play has come in for as much criticism as the results, with his side disjointed in attack and leaky in defence. The 52 goals Liverpool have conceded this season is already more than they have in any previous 38-game Premier League campaign.
Reports Suggest Change in Stance
Reports suggests the club was planning to stick with Slot for next season, but the situation may now be changing, with the betting markets suggesting Iraola could be on his way to Anfield. In April, the Bournemouth boss announced his intention to leave the Cherries at the end of the season and immediately became a candidate for some big jobs.
His reputation has only grown since then as Bournemouth have secured a spot in European football next season and could even usurp Liverpool for a place in the Champions League on the final day of the campaign. With the Spaniard’s stock high, the bookmakers expect Liverpool to make their move, with Iraola shortening to odds-on favourite from a price of 7/2 on Thursday.
Iraola's Comments on Future
Bournemouth handed Arsenal the Premier League title on Tuesday by drawing 1-1 with Manchester City, after which Iraola was asked about his future but gave nothing away. “Right now there is nothing about my future in my head,” he told Sky Sports at the Vitality Stadium. “I just want to celebrate and push it. We have Europa League, next let’s maximise our options. Can we take the last Champions League spot? I still don’t know where I will go but I’m in no rush, let’s finish on a high.”
Next Liverpool Manager Odds
Andoni Iraola 4/6, Sebastian Hoeness 6/1, Julian Nagelsmann 17/2, Oliver Glasner 9/1, Pep Lijnders 9/1, Marco Silva 10/1, Unai Emery 10/1, Jurgen Klopp 11/1, Luis Enrique 11/1, Zinedine Zidane 12/1, Steven Gerrard 14/1, Xavi 14/1, Simone Inzaghi 14/1. Odds courtesy of SkyBet.
Other managers seen as possible Slot replacements by the bookmakers include Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness and Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann. However, it seems that it will be Iraola if the Dutchman is going to leave in the near future. Just one point in the last three games, including defeats to Manchester United and Aston Villa, have put Slot in more danger than he has ever been on Merseyside.
