Potential Liverpool head coach candidate jets in as pressure mounts on Arne Slot
· Yahoo Sports
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is under growing pressure.
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The 47-year-old was installed as Jurgen Klopp’s successor back in 2024 - and got off to the best possible start. Slot orchestrated a Premier League title win at the first try - and much was expected heading into his second season in charge.
Despite £450m of transfer spending however the Reds have got worse - now scrapping it out just to re-qualify for the Champions League.
Under pressure until 2027 it has been speculated that FSG may opt to make a change this summer instead and bring Slot’s tenure to an early end. Talk would then turn to which manager could come into replace him.
We’ve seen Xabi Alonso most closely linked as an immediate successor in recent weeks although one of the Spaniard’s former Liverpool teammates may also find his way to the Anfield dugout in time.
Could Albert Riera one day coach Liverpool?
Albert Riera, 43, is currently the head coach at Eintracht Frankfurt - overseeing their last seven Bundesliga games following the departure of Dino Toppmuller.
The former Reds’ winger has developed a reputation as an attacking coach - although his immediate focus at Frankfurt has been preventing an ever-mounting goals against total from rising much further.
He has presided over three wins, two draws and two defeats in his first games in charge - drawing fierce criticism for their last game against Mainz before the international window.
But these are early days in Riera’s reign and Frankfurt will look a lot better next season once he’s had a full preseason with the German side.
Riera's successful coaching career thus far
The former Spanish international took his first steps as a head coach in Slovenia - coaching Olimpija Ljubljana to a league and cup double and then Celje - before trying his luck with Bordeaux in France.
A return to Celje saw Riera’s reputation grow domestically and of course across Europe - leading to his first big job at Frankfurt.
He will be grateful for the international break coming when it did - and has given his players a week off before preparations for their next game against Koln.
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Riera jets in for Legends match
And Riera has jetted into Liverpool during the international window - where he is taking part in the Liverpool FC Legends match against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday in aid of the LFC Foundation.
Playing under Jurgen Klopp Riera will have the opportunity to savour the atmosphere at Anfield one more time before returning to his day job at Frankfurt.
Riera spent two seasons on Merseyside under Rafa Benitez - playing over 50 times for the Reds. So let’s keep an eye on how his coaching career develops with Frankfurt - because a Xabi Alonso-like rise through the ranks could bring him onto Liverpool’s radar.