Arne Slot says he has “never once thought about quitting” Liverpool and believes he “can handle criticism quite well.”
With Liverpool picking up just one point away against the top nine and yet to secure Champions League qualification, Slot is under immense pressure from fans.
That pressure appears to be more external than internal, though, with UK journalists, as well as the coach himself, saying there are no plans to change manager this summer.
When asked ambiguously by media, including the Liverpool Echo, if he had thought about resigning, Slot insisted he is fully focused on turning things around:
“I have always wanted to carry on and I have never once thought what you are suggesting because, as I have said many times, I think this club is in a much better place next season than this season because of what I have already said 150 times.
“Even this season there was a lot to play for. Two months ago we lost to Paris Saint-Germain and City, and that was the first time we were not able to win anything anymore, but we can still ‘win’ qualification for the Champions League.
“It is the first time in my career that I am not in the end playing for a trophy. Only once I didn’t win something, so now it is going to be the second year. That is going to be a bit new.
“But until two months ago we were still fighting for things. So, no, not once did that (walking away) go through my mind.”
Arne Slot “can handle criticism” with “a clear mind”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool’s style of football is far from what we saw at the beginning of Slot’s reign and previously under Jurgen Klopp.
They were passive at Anfield against Chelsea and sat back, allowing the out-of-form opposition to gain confidence and control the game.
This was actually the first time the Londoners covered more ground than the opposition in the Premier League this season.
Asked whether the criticism had made him lose belief in methods, Slot responded: “I am 47, so I am not 12 anymore.
“I have been playing professional football since I was 16, maybe not at the level I am at here now, but I am used to the fact that people sometimes think you are a very good football player and sometimes don’t like you so much.
“It is the same as a manager. If you are in this job then you don’t usually start your career at a club like this, you have a lead up to that.
“So we are all so used to positive and negative criticism that if you are not able to handle that, you will never end up at a club like this.
“I think that is also one of the things I have learned this season that I can handle criticism quite well. I don’t act differently. I can have a clear mind and do the things I want to do.”