Zidane Emerges as a Surprise Contender for Liverpool Job Amid Slot Pressure
Zinedine Zidane has reportedly become one of the bookmakers’ top picks to replace Arne Slot at Liverpool, should the club decide to make a managerial change.
The French legend, who has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid for a second time in 2021, now finds his name among the frontrunners after Liverpool’s recent slump in form.
Liverpool’s Struggles Under Arne Slot
Liverpool have endured a torrid spell, losing five of their last six matches across all competitions — their worst run since Slot took charge last summer.
Their latest setback, a 3–2 defeat to Brentford, leaves the Reds seventh in the Premier League.
While there’s no immediate panic at Anfield — given that Liverpool won the Premier League title last season and had started this campaign with five straight victories — frustration is beginning to grow among sections of the fanbase.
Historically, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have been patient owners, having dismissed only three managers — Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish, and Brendan Rodgers — since assuming control in 2010. However, the recent dip has inevitably placed pressure on Slot to steady the ship.
Updated Odds on the Next Liverpool Manager
According to Betfair, the race for the Liverpool job has seen some interesting movement.
- Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace) – 3/1
- Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth) – 4/1
- Zinedine Zidane – 9/2
- Julian Nagelsmann (Germany) – 7/1
- Jurgen Klopp (now Red Bull’s Global Head of Football) – 9/1
The inclusion of Zidane among the favourites has caught many by surprise, given his long absence from management and previous reluctance to work in English football.
Zidane’s Connection to Liverpool
Zidane has spoken warmly about Liverpool in the past, once calling Anfield “the best away stadium” during an interview on Real Madrid’s official YouTube channel.
Ahead of the 2021 Champions League quarter-final — when his Madrid side eliminated Liverpool — Zidane praised Klopp’s team as one of the most complete in Europe.
“They’re a complete team,” he said. “Of course, the three forwards [Salah, Mané, Firmino] are exceptional, but it’s the collective strength that makes them so dangerous. We’ll need to be fully alert.”
The Language Barrier
As with previous links to Manchester United, a major obstacle for Zidane remains his limited command of English.
In a 2022 interview with L’Équipe, the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner admitted that while he understands English, he doesn’t feel confident enough to manage in the Premier League.
“When people ask if I’d go to Manchester, I understand English, but I don’t master it,” Zidane said. “Some coaches manage without speaking the language, but I work differently.”
Because of this, Zidane has frequently dismissed speculation about taking over an English club.
Zidane’s Managerial Background and Future
Zidane’s only managerial experience has come with Real Madrid, where he led both the Castilla side (2014–2016) and the first team on two separate occasions, winning multiple Champions League and La Liga titles.
A fluent Spanish speaker after five years as a Madrid player, Zidane has remained out of management since 2021 but continues to be linked with major roles — particularly the France national team, where he is tipped to replace Didier Deschamps after the 2026 World Cup.
Conclusion
Although Zidane’s appointment at Liverpool remains unlikely due to language and cultural hurdles, his emergence among the bookmakers’ favourites underscores the uncertainty surrounding Arne Slot’s future.
With the Reds struggling to regain form, and fan patience beginning to thin, speculation about the next man in the Anfield dugout is only likely to intensify.
