Liverpool manager Arne Slot is set to remain at Anfield despite mounting pressure following a disappointing season, with Fenway Sports Group (FSG) principal owner John W. Henry breaking his silence on the club's ambitions.
The Reds suffered a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, marking their 11th Premier League loss of the campaign and their 18th defeat in all competitions. The result has intensified speculation over Slot's future, even though Liverpool remain in contention for a top-five finish.
John Henry breaks silence
In a rare interview with Sports Business Journal, Henry addressed the club's struggles and the recent dismissal of Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora, offering insight into FSG's decision-making process. The 76-year-old American billionaire stated that FSG will not "settle for mediocrity."
"Fans get frustrated," Henry said. "The Sox looked terrible for their first 25 games. I remember a plane flying overhead when we were beating Manchester United 7-0 that read 'FSG OUT!' It doesn't mean you ignore them, it means you work harder – you don't settle for mediocrity. You have to win."
FSG purchased Liverpool in 2010 when the club was in turmoil and have since overseen a transformation that delivered two Premier League titles.
Arne Slot's future becomes clear
Despite Henry's comments and FSG's recent intervention at the Red Sox, Slot is expected to remain at Liverpool. Reports in the Dutch media had linked the 47-year-old with a move to Ajax, who are seeking a permanent replacement for Fred Grim.
However, Slot remains under contract at Anfield until 2027, and club chiefs are reportedly keen to give him time to reverse the team's fortunes. Former Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann backed the decision, saying: "I've heard that Arne Slot will be there next season. I think there's a case to be made that maybe a change of manager should happen, but he won the league last season, so I think it's a decision I can live with."
Yet former England striker Gary Lineker suggested ex-Liverpool hero Xabi Alonso could take over this summer. "Would Slot be there next season? Eleven defeats in the Premier League, still in the Champions League positions," Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast. "I wouldn't be surprised if Xabi Alonso was there next season."
Alonso has been linked with the Liverpool job since Jurgen Klopp's departure in 2024. He left Bayer Leverkusen to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid but was dismissed earlier this year.
