Liverpool retain their faith in Arne Slot as head coach, with claims they are courting Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann as his replacement dismissed as “nonsense.”
Slot finds himself under increasing pressure as Liverpool continue a miserable run of eight defeats in 11 games, but the Dutchman is not on the brink of sacking.
That comes following strong links with Germany manager Nagelsmann on social media, with it even claimed that Jurgen Klopp was pushing the idea of his countryman joining the Reds.
Liverpool sources dismiss new manager claims
The Mail‘s Dominic King took to X while reporting on Tuesday’s open session at the AXA Training Centre to provide an update on the situation.
“Talk about Julian Nagelsmann being a contender to replace Slot: nonsense,” King wrote.
“He wasn’t a candidate to replace Klopp and Liverpool aren’t looking to change their head coach.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 22, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield. Forest won 3-0. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That marries with reports on Monday that Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group still have “unwavering support” for Slot despite an horrific campaign so far.
Nagelsmann, for his part, signed a new long-term contract as Germany manager in January and is tied to the national team until after Euro 2028.
Who was on Liverpool’s new manager long-list?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, October 2, 2024: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (L) embraces Bayer Leverkusen's head coach Xabi Alonso before the UEFA Champions League game between Liverpool FC and Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
As reported by The Athletic‘s James Pearce and Oliver Kay in May 2024, Liverpool considered a long list of coaches when weighing up Klopp’s successor.
That did include Nagelsmann, but like Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi he was ruled out due to concerns over his tactical setup.
Other names in the picture were:
• Xabi Alonso
• Andoni Iraola
• Eddie Howe
• Sebastian Hoeness
• Michel
• Simone Inzaghi
• Paulo Fonseca
• Ernesto Valverde
• Luciano Spalletti
It was explained that Iraola was “discussed briefly” along with Howe, Michel and Hoeness – the latter of whom scored highly in the data when compared to Klopp – but they were not front-runners.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 19, 2023: Bournemouth's manager Andoni Iraola during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The same applies to Inzaghi and Fonseca, who were “never seriously in the frame.”
Interestingly there was strong interest in both Valverde and Spalletti, while it was widely reported at the time that Alonso was targeted before committing to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.
If – and it remains a strong if at this stage – Liverpool were to part ways with Slot, it seems possible that Iraola, Hoeness and Michel would be considered again.
Meanwhile the fractures around Alonso at Real Madrid will be of considerable interest.