Arne Slot’s long-term future as Liverpool manager remains in doubt as the 2025/26 season nears its conclusion.
Xabi Alonso continues to be linked with the managerial role, while there had been talk about an interim manager replacing Slot, which now looks unlikely to happen.
But as finance expert Adam Williams has explained to Rousing The Kop, the cost of sacking the 47-year-old could be less than £10m.
Who you dropping for Ngumoha against Wolves in the FA Cup then?
Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool running during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid at Anfield
Credit: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar/Getty Images
Liverpool may need to pay less than £10m if they sack Arne Slot
Liverpool lost to Wolves, a side who seem destined for relegation this season, on Tuesday evening.
Following the tie, we spoke to Williams about the finances involved in a dismissal, and he suggested that the potential seven-figure fee would have no impact on FSG’s decision.
He said: “Contracts are complicated. The starting point is to assume that a manager will be paid out based on the remaining value of their deal, but it’s rarely that simple in reality.
“Slot has just under 18 months left on his contract, and he reportedly earns about £6-7m. Based on that, you’d say that the compensation would be about £10m.
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“But in reality, there is almost always a clause that stipulates that Liverpool can pay a set amount for early dismissal, and that will be lower than the remaining value of the deal in order to protect the club.
“There might also be what is known as a liquidated damage clause, which means FSG pays a significantly reduced amount if Slot fails to achieve a certain objective, such as qualifying for the Champions League.
“And in terms of how the compensation is paid out, some managers continue to receive their wages as normal until they take another job, whereas others will be removed from the payroll and paid a specific amount upfront. Either way, it would be expensed in the accounts as a one-off cost.
“I think we can be sure of one thing – the cost of firing Slot won’t factor into FSG’s decision in any meaningful way. It will be mid-seven figures, probably; not eight. That’s chicken feed to them.”
Will Xabi Alonso be Liverpool manager by the start of the 2026/27 season?
If no, where will he be instead?
Xabi Alonso pictured during Real Madrid's La Liga match against Real Betis at the Bernabeu (Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto
Two managers linked with Liverpool job this season
It remains to be seen if Liverpool will decide to part ways with the Dutchman in the coming months.
Jamie Carragher thinks Slot will be sacked without Champions League football, with the Reds sitting fifth in the table after the Wolves loss.
Should they decide to look for a new coach in the summer, a couple of names have been mooted.
Reports in Austria earlier this season suggested Oliver Glasner could be an option for Liverpool, though he’s now being mooted to replace Jurgen Klopp at Red Bull.
Elsewhere, Xabi Alonso has been mentioned after he left Real Madrid at the start of 2026 and remains out of work.
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