Topic: LFC's next manager - chat and informed speculation

[Schmidt]

It's actually weird how some people on here take it badly that others are trying to understand why Slot might be a good choice and get excited for him - and all the while failing to offer their own viable alternatives.

Fair enough if you don't personally think he's going to be the right man for the job (although rationales like "well, Ten Hag failed so that's Dutch managers/managers from the Dutch league ruled out forever" aren't exactly watertight), but why aren't the rest of us allowed to look at why the club might think he is the right man?

Especially when the alternative argument seems to be: "why don't FSG just hire this available, charismatic, world-class manager who has been consistently successful in comparable leagues playing a comparable style with comparable levels of competition and financial backing?"

If there's one thing that has been made abundantly clear in this thread it's that all of us, myself included, are utterly clueless when it comes to judging prospective managers. There's no point stressing about the relative quality of the Dutch league or his CV because we have no fucking idea if any of it is even relevant.

I'll look for the positives with him and leave it at that.

[Egyptian36]

Happy with him unless he pulls out three envelopes

[Barefoot Doctor]

From what I’ve read his brand of football sounds brilliant, energetic and well suited to our squad. I can buy that he came top on the data analysis.

The worry - and it’s something the data won’t show - is how he’ll adapt to a much stronger league, how he’ll fare under the media scrutiny that comes with a top English side, how he’ll get on in the CL, how he’ll manage big-name players etc. FWIW I think at least some of those problems would have applied to Alonso and Amorim too.

What I would also say is that the current pool of potential managers is broadly weak, so there is no obvious pick. Alonso maybe but there’s still huge risk there and he doesn’t want to move, so what can you do. I’m ok with it as I think there’s a fair to middling chance that whoever the next manager is will be gone in 18 months anyway - hopefully not, I just mean that we’d have that risk regardless of who we recruited.

[ScouserAtHeart]

It seems to me that with the DOF model perhaps expectations should be somewhat elevated for a new hire. I'm always the first one to want to give a manager time to implement ideas and tactics, but isn't that somewhat counter to the idea of an already established system and a head coach not a manager.

It's also not unheard of for managers to win the league in their first season. It's happened 4 times in the past 15 years I think. In those cases I'm guessing the clubs had the top one or two highest wage bills though.

It looks like Slot is the guy, and of course with summer still ahead, but what are reasonable expectations for the team as of September 1st. I think it probably is achieve top 4, but thats hardly ambitious.

If you assume Top 2 will be Man City and Arsenal, there'll be 2 spots left for us, Man Utd, Chelsea, Spurs, Villa, and Man Utd and Chelsea might have new managers too so there's a chance they wouldn't be as abysmal as they are now. So Top 4, maybe the league cup/FA Cup, and QFs of the CL would be a good start to the reign

[Draex]

If you assume Top 2 will be Man City and Arsenal, there'll be 2 spots left for us, Man Utd, Chelsea, Spurs, Villa, and Man Utd and Chelsea might have new managers too so there's a chance they wouldn't be as abysmal as they are now. So Top 4, maybe the league cup/FA Cup, and QFs of the CL would be a good start to the reign

No chance, it's a top 3 and then distance and the rest. That's not going to change.

[stewy17]

What is the fixation with his baldness? Does it come from all the fellas worried about going bald…?

Bald men can't be trusted. Common sense really.

[Schmidt]

If you assume Top 2 will be Man City and Arsenal, there'll be 2 spots left for us, Man Utd, Chelsea, Spurs, Villa, and Man Utd and Chelsea might have new managers too so there's a chance they wouldn't be as abysmal as they are now. So Top 4, maybe the league cup/FA Cup, and QFs of the CL would be a good start to the reign

I don't think anything good really comes of expecting a run in the national cups, they're so luck dependent, especially when rotating heavily, and winning a cup doesn't really prove much as we've seen recently with ten Haag.

The rest sounds about right.

[killer-heels]

If you assume Top 2 will be Man City and Arsenal, there'll be 2 spots left for us, Man Utd, Chelsea, Spurs, Villa, and Man Utd and Chelsea might have new managers too so there's a chance they wouldn't be as abysmal as they are now. So Top 4, maybe the league cup/FA Cup, and QFs of the CL would be a good start to the reign

There is also a big responsibility on Hughes and Edwards here. If the club take the attitude that we have a really good squad and that the remit of the manager is to elevate it, then they are onto a loser there. We are losing a legendary manager and in that sense we have to give the new guy every sense of possibility that he can be successful and that means we have to give him a squad that can do that.

If we go into summer with signing a few fringe or squad players then straight away we have given Slot a dud card. We have to improve the squad and then be able to tell the world we have a world class set of players and the expectation is to win.

[Kenny's Jacket]

If you assume Top 2 will be Man City and Arsenal, there'll be 2 spots left for us, Man Utd, Chelsea, Spurs, Villa, and Man Utd and Chelsea might have new managers too so there's a chance they wouldn't be as abysmal as they are now. So Top 4, maybe the league cup/FA Cup, and QFs of the CL would be a good start to the reign

2 weeks ago we were favourites to win the league, Expectations should not drop.

[Son of Spion]

I'd agree with the first bit but I suppose a lot depends on how good the team/and players are. I doubt Sheffield United players have to be as much impressed as City players and the same for the manager coming in there. I think the extra dimension is measuring up to the previous manager, most managers get sacked or move upwards. Ferguson, Klopp and Wenger were/are different. That makes it harder to fill their shoes. Same applied when Shankly left but the players were already being drilled by Paisley and the rest of the boot room so it did not apply.


I would agree that players have egos (and paypackets) these days that go way beyond their actual talent.


Alonso is correct in saying the relationship between players and managers is the most important thing, not their coaching badges, knowledge or ego. Players are inspired by trust, leadership, clarity and fairness. Not FA certificates and tactics.

All fair points there.

Regarding the bit in bold, that's interesting from Alonso, and also true. My own qualifications are in psychological therapy. Something confirmed in that field by reams of research is that what really matters, and what is crucial to good outcomes, is the relationship between therapist and client. It's not how many qualifications the therapist has. It's not about the number of certificates on the wall. It's not about the length of experience the therapist has. It's not even about which method of therapy is employed. The bottom line is always the quality of the relationship. Without that being good, you have nothing.

Football and psychology may be completely different things, or maybe they actually aren't so different at all. We can only guess at how much of an advantage Klopp's relationship with everyone at LFC, from players to stewards, has been for us. It's priceless, isn't it.

[MD1990]

A control freak
“I don’t want to compare myself with Pep at all, but he’s a control freak just like me,” Arne Slot himself told Voetbal International.

“If I look at myself, I want to win a match during the week before kick-off. I try to imprint the chosen tactic to my players as much as I can.

“That’s why I can be very frustrated when a referee even makes the slightest mistake to your disadvantage. This can have so much influence while you’re not able to control anything. All preparation can be ruined because of a referee mistake. This can be my biggest frustration!

“Guardiola gives me the ultimate pleasure in football. I’d rather watch Manchester City than any other team in the world, although now I enjoy watching Napoli, Arsenal and Brighton as well.

“I don’t want to compare Feyenoord with City, but we more or less play football according to the same philosophy: 4-3-3, building up from the back, wanting to put pressure on the opponent rather quickly.

interesting quotes

[DelTrotter]

“That’s why I can be very frustrated when a referee even makes the slightest mistake to your disadvantage. This can have so much influence while you’re not able to control anything. All preparation can be ruined because of a referee mistake. This can be my biggest frustration!"

Welcome to hell, mate! 

[stewy17]

interesting quotes

Can't believe he didn't mention Jurgen's reds. Baldy splitter!

[djschembri]

If we trust the club to
a) establish the right criteria for the new manager;
b) be skilled at matching the criteria to the candidates
c) able to attract the top candidate who can fit all the criteria

then what should follow is that the man appointed has the best possible chance of making it a success. It is a natural process.

The issues you have is when no available candidate fits your criteria. Then you are forced to make compromises and compromises rarely end well

[Kenny's Jacket]

City are boring to watch

[Musketeer Gripweed]

interesting quotes

How can anyone enjoy watching Manchester City?

[Bennett]

People keep posting this. I can only assume it's some sort of friendly joke as I really don't see anything special about that speech. Seems like a pretty standard thing to say.

Yeah but it's got a piano over the top. Can't you feel the poignancy?

[killer-heels]

How can anyone enjoy watching Manchester City?

He is talking about it from a coaches perspective.

[red1977]

I know we have a vacant managerial slot to fill, the club are taking it very literally in filling it arnt they?

[Schmidt]

Not a fan of the Pep comparisons, I wonder if he stores his piss in jars too.

[ChaChaMooMoo]

[Caps4444]

Curious to know what Ten-Hag’s was when at Ajax.

[Andy82lfc]

So Amorim it is based on the win %, FSG don't want him though so Tuchel it is, but if Klopp wants back in he'll have to wait until Slot declines as he's third best based on that. 

[FlashingBlade]

Any comparison of fucking Arne Slots achievements, experience or anything else in my view to Klopp before arriving is utter crazy town.

If people want to get on the Slot train and start pretending heavyweight clubs in Europe are after him then go for it but not for me.

I will be open though and look forward to seeing how he starts and comes across, but I’m never going to be happy with such a massive gamble after the greatest manager of our generation walks out the door.

You have an interesting take on being 'open'...loading the bullets cocking the gun and finger firmly on the trigger..." yeah I'm open minded"

[stewy17]

A stretch indeed to compare the win rates of Klopp and Tuchel with two lads who have managed less than 300 games in B rate leagues. You can prove anything with stats.

[RyanBabel19]

No chance, it's a top 3 and then distance and the rest. That's not going to change.

So either we challenge straight away and keep up or you’re expecting another team to have an absolutely incredble level of improvement from now to next season

[stewy17]

As was appointing Klopp. If you consider winning titles and trophies in another country inexperience, then so was Klopp.

Is one league title in the Eredivisie when Ajax are shite the same as what Jurgen did in the Bundesliga against Bayern/Pep Guardiola?

[spoiler - it is not]

[Lone Star Red]

A collection of Arne Slots anagrams make this. It’s in the stars!

lone star / learns to / snort ale / near lots / nor slate / nor steal / ole rants / real snot / lot saner

[killer-heels]

So either we challenge straight away and keep up or you’re expecting another team to have an absolutely incredble level of improvement from now to next season

I dont think a challenge straight away policy is helpful or should be the benchmark unless we really sign a number of top players. In that scenario we should expect some level of challenge but it shouldnt lead to pressure on a manager if he doesnt. This league is really difficult.

Anything lower than fourth is a disaster though.

[Andy82lfc]

You have an interesting take on being 'open'...loading the bullets cocking the gun and finger firmly on the trigger..." yeah I'm open minded"

 

Yeah I meant open more in terms of giving him a fair crack when it comes to him arriving at the club and at the game. Would never get on a manager or players back at any match and never will.

[RyanBabel19]

I dont think a challenge straight away policy is helpful or should be the benchmark unless we really sign a number of top players. In that scenario we should expect some level of challenge but it shouldnt lead to pressure on a manager if he doesnt. This league is really difficult.

Anything lower than fourth is a disaster though.

I agree

[Schmidt]

I'm assuming people would have labeled Klopp as not good enough if he came here directly from Mainz instead of going to Dortmund first?

[Garlic Red]

Listen I’m all for a laugh and a joke but I’m unsure how anyone can lash out over this appointment and write it off before a contract’s been signed.


We’ve had this for years with players, the hysteria around signing Robertson, Endo and probably a few others, where their Wikipedia page appeared to be a better way of looking at them rather than what the club will be looking at, which is data, character references, system fit, coaching style, resourcefulness etc and so many other attributes that are simply impossible for us to gauge or measure. If our only knock on him is he’s done it in a shite league then what an awful attitude to have. Go through all the managers that have won major leagues and CLs in the last 20-30 years and you’d probably turn your nose up at half.

I’ll back Edwards and Hughes all day before I lose my shit over someone being a winner or being big enough for the club. I think it’s an exciting appointment and shows the club continue to use their brains, something I was worried might not happen. He’s got a tall order on his hands but with the fanbase behind him that becomes easier.

[Tokyoite]

There's a very obvious lack of exciting managers atm and bar Xabi no one really gives me confidence or excites me.
That's why I feel nothing but negative regardless of who comes in unfortunately.
Obviously the people working on this know better than anyone else but I just can't help but not feel excited or positive.

[stewy17]

I'm assuming people would have labeled Klopp as not good enough if he came here directly from Mainz instead of going to Dortmund first?

It would never have happened though, would it?

[shook]

Not bad I would say. Mainly because there is a lack of quality available. Obviously Alonso was first choice but what can we do! I did like the Luis Enrique idea, doesn't matter who he won with, the main point is he has won a lot, similar to how Ancelotti won nothing with Everton (i.e. The players are still very important, manager alone cannot determine)

[Chris~]

I dont think a challenge straight away policy is helpful or should be the benchmark unless we really sign a number of top players. In that scenario we should expect some level of challenge but it shouldnt lead to pressure on a manager if he doesnt. This league is really difficult.

Anything lower than fourth is a disaster though.

5th and a champions League place anyway through the new rule and does it matter about the one position difference?

[Schmidt]

5th and a champions League place anyway through the new rule and does it matter about the one position difference?

Doesn't 5th rely on the performance of other English teams in Europe? 5th looks like it'll miss out this season for example.

[blamski]

Did anyone make the joke about hoping he'll slot right in yet?
If not, I'm making it right now.

[coct3au]

Is this the way to Amorim? No.