Champions League spot beckons free agent Arne Slot

Arne Slot is currently a free man in the football world, enjoying his severance package from Liverpool and the Dutchman ready to choose a new club, now that a role in the Champions League has opened up that seems to fit his profile perfectly.

Until a year ago Slot was mentioned alongside the biggest miracle workers in football. The Dutch crown prince among managers did everything he had to do at Feyenoord and seemed on his way to do the same at Liverpool. A league title appeared early on as clear in his first season, but after that things went downhill.

In the 2024/2025 season he lost the Carabao Cup final. Afterwards he was eliminated in the Champions League by the eventual winners Paris Saint‑Germain. The worst, however, was a mental and emotional blow when Diogo Jota died in the summer of 2025, affecting the entire squad, the coaching staff and everyone around Liverpool.

The following season was disastrous, but the fans of The Reds found little reason for sentiment. According to Fenway Sports Group Slot lost touch with the fans and the support of the backers during the 2025/2026 season, making his dismissal inevitable. His successor Andoni Iraola could not handle the pricey, yet often mediocre player pool at Anfield Road much better.

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Slot's role off the pitch

Slot is not without a job, however, as UEFA gave him a tiny role behind the scenes. He could already return to the Premier League earlier this season; head of sport Marcel van der Kraan reported that he was approached to succeed the newly appointed Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham Hotspur. In England it is thought that Slot will soon appear on the cameras of the BBC, iTV and other broadcasters covering the Premier League. The 48‑year‑old Bergentheimer by origin is mentioned by several English media outlets as a possible successor to Michael Carrick at Manchester United.

Carrick had to apologise to United fans in the Champions League two weeks ago after a 4‑1 defeat at Como, after which captain Bruno Fernandes openly criticised the tactics. Despite the Portuguese being benched, United lost at home 0‑3 to Bournemouth a few days later. After the latest defeat last weekend at Chelsea, Carrick’s story really seems over.

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Slot is mentioned alongside Julian Nagelsmann, Fabian Hürzeler (Brighton & Hove Albion) and Antonio Conte, with people first waiting for Tuesday evening’s match against Roma. Slot’s fate could possibly lie in the hands of Donyell Malen. Soon a bald Dutch head could appear again on Old Trafford.