Roberto De Zerbi has long been linked with the Liverpool job, and is now available after leaving Marseille.
The future of one Arne Slot is still up in the air, given how the season has played out until now.
Slot thinks his Liverpool job is safe even if he does miss out on Champions League qualification, but not many would agree with that statement.
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Roy Hodgson and Arne Slot records at Liverpool
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
If he is to get the sack at the end of the season, De Zerbi looks like an obvious candidate to look at.
I’m not sure that would be a good choice.
Roberto De Zerbi’s personality does not fit Liverpool
De Zerbi was on Liverpool’s radar during their mission to replace Jurgen Klopp. The 46-year-old has an impressive stint at Brighton to point to as proof of an ability to compete in the Premier League.
His time at the AmEx was marked by a unique and fascinating playing style, which prioritised high pressing and fluid positional play.
Tactically, it’s hard to find fault with the Italian, but it’s his temperament and track record of clashes with the hierarchy that make him ill-fitted for the role at Anfield.
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Roberto De Zerbi during Bayeux FC v Olympique de Marseille - French Cup 2025/2026
Credit: Franco Arland/Getty Images
De Zerbi is a passionate coach, and one who can sometimes let emotions get the better of him.
His dramatic departure from Brighton two years ago supports that narrative, and while Fabrizio Romano (via X) claimed there were no major issues leading to his Marseille exit, things have looked tumultuous there for many weeks.
Liverpool are starting a new chapter and the relationship between coach and ownership is collaborative. There’s a risk with De Zerbi that the united front would dissipate at the first sign of disagreement.
A good manager, but not one Liverpool should be considering.
Liverpool need stability
Whether Slot stays past the end of the season, he’s a coach well-suited to this moment in Liverpool’s rebuild.
With new players coming in, the relationship between the manager and the senior figures in the dressing room is vital, and Slot has a good rapport with those experienced players.
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, gives instructions to Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Galatasaray A.S. and Liverpool FC at Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
De Zerbi’s arrival would shake things up, and the change in style of play would be drastic. For a team still in its infancy, it feels like a big change in direction.
Liverpool’s manager, at least right now, should be a peace-time leader rather than a war-time one.
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