Liverpool look to be on the verge of finally naming Jurgen Klopp’s successor at the club.
The Reds have been searching for the right man to take over Klopp’s mantle over the past three months. At long last, an appointment seems close.
The coach chosen may not be to everyone’s tastes, though. Arne Slot isn’t even in the job yet and he’s already seen his credentials questioned.
That’s the scrutiny you get at Anfield though, and Slot should be ready for plenty more where that came from. In our opinion, the Feyenoord boss looks well equipped to handle that pressure and answer the initial critics. However, until he does so, questions will remain over whether Liverpool made the right choice.
Having already given a lukewarm reaction to Slot, Reds legend Jamie Carragher has now expanded on who he thinks might have been a better option.
Jamie Carragher makes Thomas Tuchel point
As one of the most visible pundits around right now – and as a true icon at Liverpool – Carragher always has plenty to say about his old side. Obviously, that has recently been largely dominated by who will take over from Klopp this summer.
Having previously ruled himself out of ever taking the role, Carragher had also given his backing to outgoing Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel.
And taking to The Telegraph on Friday, the 46-year-old once again admitted that if he were in Liverpool’s shoes, he’d have given more thought to hiring Tuchel.
“I would have given more thorough consideration to a coach like Thomas Tuchel who took on and beat Pep Guardiola in the ultimate test – a Champions League final,” says Carragher.
“Tuchel followed Klopp at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund and did well. It has not worked out at Bayern Munich this season, but you only have to look at Carlo Ancelotti and Unai Emery to recognise how top coaches recover from setbacks.
“If another English club takes Tuchel, that would convince me they will significantly improve, but my sense is Liverpool don’t want a coach with a reputation for being fractious.”
Should Liverpool have looked at Thomas Tuchel
Plenty will dismiss Carragher’s opinion here. As he does mention, Tuchel has not had a good spell at Bayern. His stock is as low as it’s ever been right now.
However, we can understand where he’s coming from. The 50-year-old is a top manager and will be available this summer.
His previous history of following Klopp is a feather in his cap, as his is knowledge and experience of English football.
Despite all of that though, we actually think Tuchel would have proved an underwhelming successor to Klopp. FSG want someone who’s in it for the long haul and the German has never been one to stick around all that long.
So, while we understand Carragher’s thinking on this one, we’d rather take a chance on someone like Slot.