03 May 2026 18:27:32
Alonso to Chelsea after the World Cup is breaking news?
03 May 2026 19:03:37
Breaking where?
03 May 2026 19:04:39
Neither Alonso nor Chelsea are going to the World Cup, so why are they all waiting until after it? Maybe Alonso doesn't want a job before that so he can stay up late to watch the games.
03 May 2026 19:09:11
We'll get to endure another season of the comedy stylings of Arnold Slop.
03 May 2026 19:09:12
If it happens, FSG need to go. Couldn't care less what most of the fans think of them as owners. We were favourites to sign Xabi, the deal was on a silver platter, and to let it slip because FSG don't have the stones to step in and overrule Edwards, then I'm done with them.
03 May 2026 19:12:38
Only interested in people that want to be here tbh ...
03 May 2026 19:21:20
Not happening.
03 May 2026 19:32:32
Romano said Iraola wants to stay in the Premier League, maybe he's the man for us.
03 May 2026 19:40:28
FSG know nothing about football, or running a football club. They know about investment and running a business.
They are very good at the latter, not so great at the former.
They did a great job appointing Klopp, but they also appointed Hodgson, Rodgers and now Slot.
They did a great job of preserving their investment by building the AXA Centre (with significantly can't financial input from AXA!) and expanding the ground, but have increased the income from executive boxes and marquee match day packages.
They have made some awful decisions regarding ticket prices and furlough. Timing was so poor, and they had to backtrack like a swan paddling through a swamp.
They will rarely make the right decision for us, the fans. They will appoint people who they feel secure and comfortable with, and somehow Edwards has charmed the birds from the trees and is appointing "yes" men rather than moving us forward.
Brace yourselves for a bumpy ride!
03 May 2026 20:02:35
I'm not saying Alonso goes to Chelsea, but I really can't see the appeal of the club, they go through managers like I go through socks, they have a whack-a-mole transfer policy. I don't get it.
03 May 2026 20:06:49
Definately not on the FSG out bus.
Let the season finish ... We will likely get CL football.
Then go from there. Hopefully they relieve Slot from his services ...
If they don't... they will have to manage the s***show that will ensue.
03 May 2026 20:07:26
It doesnt matter about Alonso, the only critical move is if Slot is out. The biggest waste of space ever.
03 May 2026 20:10:15
The story I've read is that Alonso would consider the Chelsea job, but the only reason he's considering it is because he thought he had a verbal agreement to take over from Slot, only for the chuckle brothers to go back on their word. If he ends up at Chelsea, it's no one's fault, bar Hughes & Edwards.
As for us, this is very much like the end of the Rodgers era, and if we give him the start of next season, that's another two to three years down the drain trying to fix the mess, as the choices of managers in mid season are going to be extremely threadbare, and we will end up with dross.
03 May 2026 20:13:20
StEtienne, you may not like FSG, but they saved the club from going into administration. Yes, they have made mistakes, but they have overseen the most successful period for the club in a long time.
I don't like every decision they have made, furlough, Superleague, ticket prices, to name but a few. But I am not going to diminish what they have accomplished either.
I don't get the crap Rodgers gets. Yes, it ended badly, but we had one of our best chances of winning the league before Klopp came in. When Hodgson came in, the number of LFC fans that were saying good choice, stable choice, experienced blah blah.
I for one appreciate where they have got us, no matter what anyone else says.
03 May 2026 20:22:08
Grand, we'll be able to pick him up when they sack him in October so.
03 May 2026 20:22:10
Well said, StEtienne, for me, a large portion of the fanbase views FSG through rose tinted glasses, mostly because they were a major upgrade on those other 2 t***s; Hicks & Gillet. I'm grateful they have been responsible owners, but I've always seen them for what they are, a business. Their main concern is increasing the value of their assets with minimal additional investment.
With us, they do that through regular Champions League qualification, decent cup runs and staying relevant in around the top 3, the odd trophy here and there is a nice bonus. Klopp turned this club around, not FSG.
03 May 2026 20:30:53
Don't have much respect for managers who jump on the Chelsea merry-go-round, especially if they've just stepped off the Madrid merry-go-round.
Not a good look IMO.
03 May 2026 20:31:00
It was Hicks & Gillet who employed Hodgson.
03 May 2026 20:53:59
By all accounts, Ron, Edwards & Hughes apparently reneged on a verbal agreement with Alonso that he'd take over in the summer. What's he supposed to do, sit there by the phone waiting for them to change their mind again? If Chelsea offered you a contract worth several million pounds a year to manage them, I very much doubt you'd think twice.
Anyone saying otherwise is being disingenuous and dishonest.
03 May 2026 20:54:39
I'd get Iraola in ASAP. And give him full control of transfers too. Just like Alonso will want also.
I'd be happy with either, but they need full control just like Klopp had. No more of this coach crap.
03 May 2026 21:10:39
Alonso hasn't had a verbal agreement to join Liverpool, he has always been on a list of 3, granted he is top of the list, but not everyone is convinced.
If I had to hedge my bets, it's Andoni Iraola.
Cheers.
03 May 2026 21:12:14
Iraola doesn't want to be involved in transfers. He has said it multiple times.
03 May 2026 20:24:42
Chewy, Wow.
I have long suspected you were either a Bot or a Troll that rinses the last ounce of AI, you may be both.
I'm happy to think, with evidence, that FSG know what they are doing and how to run the current champions. They are extremely successful businessmen who have probably made more harsh decisions than you have used ChatGPT. If they want rid, they will.
How do you know Alonso was on a silver platter, perhaps it was brass or even paper?
Chewy, I will not respond no matter what you think of me.
03 May 2026 21:16:51
Iraola and Hughes have worked together before.
03 May 2026 21:17:44
Wow! That's a huge move for both parties! Love it.
03 May 2026 21:34:45
Iraola worked with Hughes for 12 months, of which 6 months was effectively a notice period, knowing he was joining Liverpool.
I'd much rather Hughes was gone. He's not an LFC guy.
03 May 2026 21:40:15
At this point I would take anyone over Slot.
Sean Dyche is free. He'll do!!!!!!! At least we won't be soft as water. .... . (Said tongue and cheek).
Iraola, Hoeness or Alonso for me ... all available and the club can get. .
If it costs us a sporting director ... so be it. I'm fed up of Slot and other coaches not being able to get the players they want, so decide not to play them ...
Coach is the one that gets sacked ... coach picks team .. only thing sporting directors should be doing is working within a budget to get said player..
or offering options 1 2 and 3 to manage if they say .. I want a player who can do this this and that ... go find me one! They are on the same payroll so should be following the same agenda anyway .. as in a type of football ...
It's tough. We have not even bought dross like Konchesy or Poulsen ... we got elite players in Wirtz and Iask ... we got next level ready to go in Ekitike and Kerkez..... Frimpojg .. don't get that one other than affordable and quick ...
03 May 2026 21:55:37
I've been on the Iraola train for a while.
He can get players to run through brick walls for him.
He can deal with lots of players leaving.
He can get more out of a set of players than their talent/history suggests.
Imagine what he could do with the talent at this club, especially some of the younger new signings.
03 May 2026 21:57:48
I think it's fair to say no one knows what is going on. I know it's a rumour site, but flippin hell, some of the rubbish being spoken on here is mad. I think we've gone full circle, and the club will review the situation at the end of the season.
We will get top 4, so the club will probably be happy to keep Slot, but I'd imagine they might be tight with the purse strings in the summer if there is a chance they will sack him in early winter time.
03 May 2026 22:05:26
Tight on purse strings? We are spending 150m easy. RW, MF and RB are essential to field a decent team ...
We may sell a load, but no way are we having a quiet window.
03 May 2026 22:11:15
What's an "LFC guy"? I've seen these arguments and this debacle for years from my blue mates, and ultimately the cleaner ends up taking the blame in a desperate attempt to find a reason for the shortfall.
Here's my take: Alonso has never really wanted it, nor do I want him at the club. FSG will learn from this. Things will change in the summer. Fans will always moan.
03 May 2026 22:16:27
Iraola gets unknown players running through a brick wall for him. As per Bielsa, no evidence that it's sustainable at an elite club that plays every 3 days.
03 May 2026 22:22:44
I would like to ask again who would be a better option as owners? FSG are not perfect but have been great for the club.
03 May 2026 22:25:22
Apologies VV, you're correct. Hodgson was appointed by Purslow to steady the ship during the sale of the club.
03 May 2026 22:45:15
Iraola does actually make a lot of sense.
Getting that group of players to perform the way it does and get up to 6th at this late stage of this season is seriously impressive.
If waiting for him / season's end, that might explain a few things. Extraordinary that Slot has hung on with 19 defeats.
03 May 2026 22:53:23
Just my opinion, but Andoni Iraola will only be my third choice, with Alonso second and Luis Enrique as first choice. Simply because he had no experience coaching any giant teams.
Totally understand all his good things like affecting player run through brick walls for him, etc., but all of that was based on when he was coaching small/medium teams.
Same as when we appointed Slot, PJ had an article praising him, but apparently time showed his training method, football philosophy and man management is nowhere near Liverpool's level. One of the main reasons behind is he never coached an elite team like us.
04 May 2026 00:00:52
Iraola gives me Rodgers vibes.
04 May 2026 00:45:32
@StE, @Chewy, and anybody else who can't appreciate what FSG have done for the club, from the circumstances when they bought the club to the present day, doesn't deserve the club they attest to supporting.
I appreciate that people are frustrated and disappointed - we all are - in terms of the poor way we are set up and playing, and the poor results, but we will still be playing CL football next season, and the club should be given our support to take the lessons we have learned from this season to get us back on track next season.
04 May 2026 01:00:38
Killer17, I don't use Chatgpt, mate, it's a dogs*** miserable excuse for a program. My arrogant and overly opinionated outbursts are all my own.
You can lick Werner & Henry's boots all you like, but many of us see through them. Prior to last summer, we had an average net spend of about £30m per season on transfers. Now I'm all for the Liverpool way, but a little depth would make the world of difference at times. The whole sell to buy model is a dead giveaway of FSG's true nature.
And nothing I said in my previous comment was incorrect, by the way. FSG, as you rightly put it, are businessmen; they are an investment group. Their main goal is, without doubt, to some day sell Liverpool for a massive profit. That's essentially their entire business model, to realise profit from asset appreciation. Go ask them yourself.
They know in order to do that, they don't have to win trophies every season, but they do have to stay competitive, be in the race and win the odd piece of silverware. Their main concern is to see continued growth and remain profitable without additional investment (from their end). Their goal is to sit in that sweetspot between on-field success and commercial viability. They are not passionate owners concerned with returning Liverpool to the former glory days of Paisley. They bought Liverpool because it was a great investment opportunity. No other reason.
Just look at the projects they've wanted to bring in. In the States, with their closed leagues and payment structure, there's far less risk in regard to income from things like TV rights, ticket sales and merch. FSG were a driving force in attempting to introduce the Big Picture Project and the Super League. Formats that would have given them more power and helped them to bring an element of that revenue security seen across the pond. They have no concern for preserving our ways and would love nothing more than to Americanise the s*** out of everything. They even tried to trademark the word 'Liverpool' for crying out loud. ?
I'd like to point out that despite my seemingly harsh opinions of FSG, I have on multiple occasions stated my appreciation for their responsible ownership.
04 May 2026 01:18:12
I like FSG. They get an irrational amount of hate and they just carry on and keep building the club.
It's pointless trying to have an argument with someone who has made their mind up about FSG. So just bless them a good day and that they have a ray of sunshine in other areas of their world.
04 May 2026 02:14:55
Chewy,
The US model for sports, namely NFL, NHL, NBA, are the best run leagues on earth. There is competitive balance. We don't have 1 team winning every year. Trades happen. The TV contracts are insane.
And I recall, before the Super League proposal, people complaining they didn't spend enough. So they tried to implement a model to allow that to happen and you all freaked out.
I pose again who would be better owners.
04 May 2026 05:03:29
? Best leagues in the world! That's a good one. You can keep your closed leagues with your no promotion or relegation, your 3-hour-long games with 10 minutes of actual play, your unbearable level of advertisement, your plethora of plastic fans, your entirely domestic "world championships", your ass-backwards drafts and rewards for failure, your whole spectacle-over-sport vibe with your halftime shows, and your fake scripted jumbotron events, and the fact that teams can just pick up and move to an entirely different city on a whim. Ain't nobody this side of the pond interested in any of that crap. There would be literal riots if you tried to bring any of that nonsense in over here.
The only reason there's so much money made on US sports TV deals is because it takes 3-4 hours to broadcast a single game, and half of that time is filled with adverts!
The Super League was not a format introduced because the FSG were concerned that fans wanted them to spend more, it was nothing more than an attempt to introduce that closed league guaranteed revenue crap they have in the states. Exactly zero people are interested in that nonsense.
Funnily enough, I don't keep a list of the kinds of people who might be able to afford £5 billion purchases handy, do you?
04 May 2026 07:02:33
It has been said a few times here that Iraola and his family want to go back to Spain. So that will put him out of consideration. Unless we want another case of an unsettled manager at the club.
04 May 2026 08:00:05
mfahmee2, who is saying that though?
The press? The Bournemouth hierarchy?
I've never seen Iraola say it, and we all know stories are out about in the press to try and confuse the picture.
FPF - no evidence having players running through a brick wall for you will work at elite level? Jurgen Klopp disagrees.
Iraola is the most "Klopp-like" in terms of footballing intensity and aggressive style of any of the candidates, and he is the only one who has managed in the Premier League and consistently outperformed expectations.
04 May 2026 09:58:52
Iraola has Bournemouth up to 6th place after losing 3 of his starting back 4 and keeper last summer, that's outstanding management. He gets the best out of a team who sell their prized assets every season, I'd take him in a heartbeat and also get him to bring his scouts who seem to be exceptional at finding the hidden diamonds we were promised when Hughes joined.
04 May 2026 09:44:12
Ron, this is Ed reply to my question regarding what he think is going to happen to us managerial wise in the summer:
"As for us, I believe Dick and Ted were keen on Iraola, but he wants to return home to the Basque country, not Spain as people keep saying. Like most Basques, he does not really consider it Spain. I think that leaves two options, firstly stick with Slot a year and hold out for Enrique next summer. Secondly, there is Xabi and Hoeness if Slot is not too unsettled in the UK to stay another year. "
{Ed001's Note - yeah but since then Iraola has talked things over with his family and has said he wants to continue to manage in the Prem. So that puts him back as an option.}
04 May 2026 10:44:59
Chewy take a look at how many trophies we've won under FSG since 2010 than in the period between 1990-2010. You're a troll.
04 May 2026 11:30:36
Let's not rewrite history too much. Salah was Klopp's 3rd choice for the wide right role, and the 1st and 2nd have proven not to be that great. Also Keita, Nunez were solely his choices, and they were an injury-prone dud and an emotion-driven frustration respectively.
The results, based on the churn last summer, shouldn't surprise us. We didn't strengthen the squad, just made the first team on paper look better, but even into September, you could see the imbalance.
If we're getting a new manager, there are 2 key things they have to work out (for me anyway):
- If we're playing with a front three, which 2 are the pressing forwards. We went from 2/3 with Diaz/Nunez and Salah being free to 0/3, leading teams to have free rein to bypass them, which leads me into
- a definitive No6.
Despite having little to no attacking bite, it feels like we're playing a 4-0-6 formation. Either Slot or a new manager needs to either bring in a type of player who'll hold that spot and release Dom/Wirtz/Grav, or instruct one of them (Grav the most likely) to hold back. Grav being told to essentially headless chicken forward has been a stark reason for the midfield being almost non-existent. Macca doesn't seem to have the legs/appetite, and Dom is an 8.
If whoever can get those principal points sorted, then the RB issue can be addressed.
04 May 2026 12:01:04
I'm well aware, RedTom, I was here for it. As I've said several times before, in spite of my criticisms of FSG, I am appreciative of the fact that they are a massive improvement on the previous 2 muppets, and that they have been responsible owners. I also pointed out that they do want to be competitive and win silverware.
In fact, my critique of them was more of a loose rundown of their model and actions as opposed to anything else. It's mostly factual information, albeit with an opinionated tone. I'm pretty sure if you asked anybody who works in the business side of football, they would agree with almost everything I've said.
04 May 2026 12:15:27
Fair enough mfahmee2 and Ed001, my mistake.
I'm of the belief that ambitious managers will always look at the options and younger children tend to cope better with moves than older ones.
We might not be his preferred option, but it aligns quite well in my opinion.
His style of play, his Premier League track record, his ability to work with a DoF (Hughes), his ability to cope with top players leaving yet results are maintained (this is going to happen to us very soon), the respect and dedication he inspires in his players.
I worry about Alonso - no prem track record as a manager, plays more like Slot than Klopp, struggled with player relationships in Madrid.
Enrique has an unbelievable track record but not in the Premier League and he has a huge competitive advantage in his league.
{Ed001's Note - no worries mate. I like Iraola, I was glad to see him putting himself back in the frame for a Prem job. Hopefully his family could settle fine in Liverpool area, if they need a Basque-heritage friend, they can always get to know me ma!}
04 May 2026 14:42:56
Andoni Iraola is a massive risk imo. I know we all want our players to run and fight more given what we have been watching for the last 12 months, but that is not the only requirement for coaching one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Bournemouth can play this way as almost always the opposition sets up to attack them as they believe they are beatable. They don't ever have to solve any low/mid block problem.
On the flip side, in a normal season (caveat), 80% of the opposition set up to not get beaten by us, whether that be low or mid-blocks.
He also manages a bunch of relatively young ambitious players who plan to move onto bigger things. Whereas Liverpool is a destination club where players join to win everything, and big egos need to be managed.
We have no data to show how Iraola will fare under those conditions.
imo, Iraola needs one more bigger job before he is ready to be tested at the elite level. Newcastle seems like most obvious fit.