Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool should have given ‘more consideration’ to naming Thomas Tuchel their Jurgen Klopp successor over Arne Slot.
With Klopp stepping down at the end of the season, Liverpool are edging closer to agreeing a deal to bring the Feyenoord manager to Anfield.
On Thursday, Slot confirmed the two clubs are in negotiations over a compensation fee, sharing his delight over being approached for one of the biggest jobs in world football.
The Dutchman led Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title last season, lifting the Dutch Cup with the club last week.
Speaking during Sky Sports’ coverage of Liverpool’s derby defeat to Everton midweek, Carragher shared reservations over the imminent appointment, however, insisting it is a ‘huge jump’ from managing Feyenoord to taking the reins at Liverpool.
Former Chelsea boss Tuchel meanwhile will be available this summer, set to leave Bayern Munich when the season ends. Manchester United are thought to be weighing up a move for the German should they part ways with Erik ten Hag.
In his column for the Daily Telegraph, Carragher wrote he would prefer a ‘proven winner’ capable of stepping in and immediately challenging Pep Guardiola at Manchester City – although he acknowledged Liverpool will have been wary of appointing a coach with a ‘reputation for being fractious’ like Tuchel.
‘For the last nine years, Liverpool have possessed one of the top two managers in the world. They are now gambling on the next big thing rather than appointing a proven, real deal,’ Carragher wrote.
‘I would have given more thorough consideration to a coach like Thomas Tuchel who took on and beat Pep Guardiola in the ultimate test – a Champions League final. Tuchel followed Klopp at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund and did well.
‘It has not worked out at Bayern Munich this season, but you only have to look at Carlo Ancelotti and Unai Emery to recognise how top coaches recover from setbacks.
‘If another English club takes Tuchel, that would convince me they will significantly improve, but my sense is Liverpool don’t want a coach with a reputation for being fractious.
‘I would prefer a proven winner who could be difficult to manage to a coach who might be easy to manage but still have everything to prove.
‘My overriding concern is this: does Slot move to England ready to take on Guardiola for the Premier League and Champions League?
‘The new Liverpool manager must say from the outset he is here to win, not just compete.’
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