Liverpool’s Self-Inflicted Collapse Puts Arne Slot Under the Spotlight
Before we begin, I want to acknowledge the recent loss of Billy Bonds. He was an incredibly powerful and determined player who, for me, represented the essence of football in the 1970s.
He played with complete dedication and wasn’t afraid of the rough and tumble that characterized the game back then.
In my opinion, he deserved a place in the England national team’s defense. With his sometimes long hair and beard, he was an imposing figure, not someone opponents wanted to challenge.
He was remarkably consistent, appearing in 799 matches for West Ham, winning two trophies, and personifying everything admirable about the club during the 70s and 80s.
He always displayed an unwavering commitment and physical presence. That powerful spirit will remain a lasting memory for everyone who witnessed him play. He was a true icon. Rest in peace, Billy.
And now, we’re at that point in the season when club owners become anxious and start to believe that a different manager might perform better than the one they currently have.
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Even though, in most cases, the poor results are actually due to the players’ performance.
However, since you can’t simply dismiss the entire team, they resort to firing the manager as a symbolic gesture within the lavish and extravagant world of the Premier League.
This is done to create the illusion of taking action and to mask the fact that they are helplessly watching the club’s decline, fully aware of their own incompetence.
The hope is that the fans will overlook the owners’ own responsibility for the situation.
Will it actually make a difference? History suggests things tend to revert to the average eventually. So, probably not. But that’s not the key issue. There’s a chance it could work. And clinging to that possibility is vital when facing disaster and failure.
Naturally, this is probably wishful thinking, since the same incompetent individual who hired the current failure will likely pick their replacement, using funds likely obtained through immoral means. But we choose to ignore this reality.
That makes it acceptable, right? Likewise, the possibility of being demoted from the top league must be fought against, despite many believing the lower division is actually more enjoyable. Just don’t bring that up.
Keep pretending this low point is actually a high achievement. Misleading others is simply an alternative perspective.
Ultimately, football thrives on optimism. When supporters lose faith, the financial consequences are significant.
The people in charge can’t let the truth of their exploitative and uncaring practices come to light, so action must be taken. Firing the coach is a simple solution and cheaper than initiating wars.
Currently, almost half of the Premier League managers are in precarious positions, facing potential dismissal from their jobs. Their future is hanging by a thread, dependent on the whims of their club owners.
Daniel Farke is considered the most likely to be fired, even after achieving success last season and despite the inherent quality of his team.
The harsh reality is that someone has to face relegation, and despite the Championship being arguably more enjoyable, Farke will likely be the scapegoat to appease the perceived importance of remaining in the Premier League.
His Premier League record is poor, but likely no worse than most of us could achieve. It’s not personal, but a change is coming. A job opening at Sheffield Wednesday might appear soon.
Thomas Frank is also under pressure. His failure to defeat Tottenham Hotspur is held against him – an admittedly difficult task. Despite his affable personality, the league demands a change in results, and he is likely to face the consequences.
Arne Slot’s time could also be limited. Any previous achievements will be quickly forgotten, deemed irrelevant.
The club’s poor decisions in the transfer market will be blamed on him, absolving the management of responsibility. He will be seen as the problem, a convenient explanation for the team’s struggles.
Scott Parker, with his old-fashioned, adventurous look, should find his new challenge enjoyable. Despite appearances, Burnley isn’t a struggling underdog; they possess significant financial resources, even if they don’t show it.
Overly restricting clothing won’t cushion your potential failure, Scott. If you appear incapable of achieving a 17th-place finish, your position is in jeopardy, and unfortunately, that seems to be the case.
Ruben Amorim’s job security might be extremely precarious, on the verge of being terminated from a high position.
The incompetent individuals in charge of Manchester United, who operate with questionable practices, will likely soon recognize their monumental error in judgement.
No matter how many victories are achieved, another performance akin to the defeat against Everton will lead to his removal from the managerial role, which might be a relief for Amorim himself.
David Moyes’ current Everton side defeating Manchester United is an easy task these days; the heavy home defeat to Newcastle is a better reflection of their current state.
Moyes, despite being relatively young, appears very aged, with a permanent look of deep worry. When your best tactical decisions involve deploying James Tarkowski to play defensive-minded, the purpose of the club itself is questionable.
David Moyes is not the answer to this fundamental issue. He should seek new opportunities.
These guys can at least find solace in the fact that losing their jobs would mean a generous payout covering their entire contracts, without actually requiring them to put in the work (a rare perk compared to most professions).
Their recent shortcomings, even multiple failures, will likely fade from memory before long. Inevitably, another naive employer will take a chance on them, ignoring the substantial evidence of their past incompetence.
After all, their performance, no matter how disastrous, is seldom deemed truly irredeemable, a sentiment someone like Russell Martin could probably relate to.
And so, the cycle continues. Here comes the next leader, who is simply a recycled version of someone else’s failed leader.
