Arne Slot was asked how he feels about the speculation that Xabi Alonso could replace him as Liverpool boss
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot speaks during a press conference at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille on January 20, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League, league phase football match against Olympique de Marseille (OM). (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP via Getty Images)
Arne Slot speaks during the press conference at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille, where his Liverpool side play in the Champions League on Wednesday night
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Arne Slot has laughed off speculation around Xabi Alonso replacing him at Liverpool. The Reds boss insisted the question was "one of the weirdest" of his coaching career as he previewed the Champions League visit to Marseille.
Alonso has been out of work since being relieved of his duties at Real Madrid at the start of last week and despite Slot being on a dozen-game unbeaten run, the former Liverpool midfielder has been speculatively linked with the Anfield hotseat in some sections of the Spanish media.
Slot, whose side takes on Marseille in the Champions League on Wednesday night, admitted he found the question in his pre-match press conference at the Orange Velodrome about Alonso a bizarre one.
"Yes he called me and said: 'What do you think about the team because I am going to take over in six months, can you tell me a little bit more?’" Slot laughed."Or maybe earlier. Maybe he takes over tomorrow! No, no, no. This is one of the weirdest questions I ever got."What is there it say? I am working here for a little bit more than one and a half years and I really like my work over here."We won the league last season, struggled more in the league this season. That is also obvious, so yes what is there left to say?"Slot added: "The boos (from some fans after the 1-1 draw with Burnley)? Maybe I heard a few but it wasn’t as if it was a lot. But I also think it is completely normal that if you have a draw at home to Burnley that no one is happy about that."But I think the moment the people went home, when emotions calmed down, they probably thought in the one and a half years I have been at Liverpool we have never created so many chances against a low block as we did in that game."Maybe it was a little bit more positive than the result showed but we are in a results business I know that."