Jamie Carragher says Liverpool should have “considered” a bid for Thomas Tuchel before signing Arne Slot. The Feyenoord manager is largely anticipated to be selected as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement at Anfield after reaching an agreement on a move. Slot has publicly announced his wish to transfer to Liverpool, and agreements are believed to have been reached to bring first-team coach Sipke Hulshoff and director of performance Ruben Peeters with him.
Klopp has praised the 45-year-old as a “excellent coach” and a “nice guy,” and the Dutchman has earned a reputation for his free-flowing, high-octane attacking style. Still, there is little doubt that the Premier League is a significant step up from the Eredivisie. Erik ten Hag has struggled to capitalize on a promising first year at Manchester United despite managing a great era at Ajax, and Frank De Boer lasted only four games in charge of Crystal Palace after winning four successive League titles with the Amsterdam club.
That is not to say Slot will struggle, but Carragher believes the Reds are taking a risk, especially with Tuchel available. “I would have given more serious consideration to a coach like Thomas Tuchel, who faced and defeated Pep Guardiola in the ultimate test – a Champions League final,” Carragher wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
Tuchel followed Klopp to Mainz and Borussia Dortmund and fared well. It hasn’t worked out for Bayern Munich this season, but look at Carlo Ancelotti and Unai Emery to see how top coaches recover from setbacks. The German, who has followed Klopp to jobs at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, will become a free agent when he departs Bayern Munich at the conclusion of the season.