Liverpool's current managerial turmoil under Arne Slot has a striking historical parallel, following revelations from World Cup-winning coach Didier Deschamps about his own approach from the club.
The Anfield Approach
Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Liverpool held extensive talks with him about taking over as manager in 2010, shortly after he'd led Marseille to their first Ligue 1 title in 18 years. The former Juventus and Monaco manager revealed the discussions were substantial but ultimately didn't lead to an appointment.
"I was very proud a club like Liverpool were interested in me," Deschamps stated. "But the timing was not good. I was engaged with Marseille, the players and the fans, and I could not leave them two days before the restart for pre-season."
The Frenchman, who captained France to 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 glory as a player, emphasised that the approach came just before Roy Hodgson's eventual appointment, following Rafa Benitez's departure after a difficult period that saw Liverpool finish seventh.
Parallels with Current Crisis
The revelation comes amid growing pressure on current Liverpool boss Arne Slot, whose team has suffered a nightmare run of results including a shocking 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield. Despite winning the Premier League in his first season and spending £446 million during the summer transfer window on players like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, Slot's position is now under serious scrutiny.
Many observers believe Slot initially benefited from inheriting a winning team from Jurgen Klopp, with the current slump raising questions about his long-term suitability for the role. The situation mirrors the pressure Benitez faced fifteen years ago, which ultimately led to his departure after six years in charge.
Deschamps' Subsequent Career
Deschamps ultimately remained with Marseille until 2012 before taking over as France national team manager, a position he has held for the past 13 years. He announced in early 2025 that he will leave his role after the 2026 World Cup, with Zinedine Zidane widely tipped as his potential replacement.
Reflecting on the Liverpool opportunity, Deschamps noted: "We had a long discussion. I was extremely pleased and happy but I decided to stay and continue my adventure with Marseille." His decision to remain in France ultimately shaped his path toward international management, where he has enjoyed considerable success.
The revelation provides fascinating context to Liverpool's historical managerial searches and highlights how different decisions might have altered the club's trajectory during a challenging period in its history.
