Struggling Premier League boss will be surprise contender to replace Arne Slot

One struggling Premier League coach will inevitably be in the frame to replace Arne Slot. Liverpool's boss is struggling, too.

Liverpool could turn away from Arne Slot at the end of the season as their campaign continues to go off the rails. Slot will have just one year remaining on his deal - and the pressure has never been higher.

Really, Jurgen Klopp was never under this much pressure. Brendan Rodgers certainly was, though he had nothing remotely like the summer spend behind him that Slot had.

Though, of course, Slot does have that Premier League title to his name and that naturally buys him a lot of time. Missing out of UEFA Champions League qualification would almost certainly end that time, and the defeat to Brighton on Saturday highlighted what a real possibility that is.

So if Slot did leave, who could come in? Xabi Alonso is the favourite for the role though we would exercise caution there - Manchester City's job may well be up for grabs, too, and they have the money to make it difficult to turn down as a project.

How about a different contender, then? There's one in the Premier League right now and like it or not, he'll be under consideration.

The Eddie Howe possibility

Eddie Howe will be on that shortlist, much as he was back when Liverpool hired Slot in 2024. Though, he now boasts serious UEFA Champions League experience and plenty of work with expensive players.

Howe is a serious contender given his closeness with Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes. The trio were at Portsmouth together in 2003, Edwards as an analyst and the other two as players.

They've remained close ever since. Hughes and Howe were together at Bournemouth, for one, and all are in contact. We also know that Edwards has a history of hiring people he knows well.

Hughes is the biggest example of that. Gary O'Neil, another from that Pompey team, was a coach at Liverpool for a period. David Woodfine returned to the Reds in 2023, having also worked with Edwards at Portsmouth.

Mark Burchill followed Hughes from Bournemouth as a scout - and again, he was a player in that Portsmouth side. This is how Liverpool operate at the moment.

And so Howe, despite the current struggles, will be in contention. He may even be completely available if he leaves Newcastle United.

His history of success working with Alexander Isak is just another reason Liverpool may be tempted. It's perhaps not the appointment everyone wants - but it's one to watch out for.

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