Sam Allardyce reveals his true thoughts on Arne Slot as Liverpool boss comes under scrutiny after back-to-back defeats
The Dutchman Liverpool reign continues to impress as he earns widespread praise for seamlessly succeeding Jürgen Klopp at Anfield.
Slot’s impact at Liverpool has been nothing short of remarkable. The Dutchman arrived at Anfield in 2024 as a relative unknown to many English fans, stepping into the shoes of one of the club’s greatest-ever managers, Jürgen Klopp.
Yet, in just over a year, Slot has not only stabilised the post-Klopp era he’s already written his own piece of Liverpool history.
A league title in his debut campaign was the perfect start, a feat almost unheard of for a manager taking over a side in transition. Now in his second season, while results have been more mixed, there remains a strong sense that Slot’s Liverpool are still on the right trajectory.
The past few games have exposed familiar issues a slightly unbalanced setup, some individual dip in form but nothing to suggest the foundations are cracking. As one senior club source told The Athletic, Slot’s influence “has brought calm and clarity after years of high emotion,” describing his leadership as “measured but quietly assertive.”
That composure hasn’t gone unnoticed beyond Anfield. Former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce, speaking on his No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, was full of admiration for Slot’s work, even admitting he perhaps underrated him in his recent managerial power rankings.
The former manager was asked to list the 10 best managers in the league today, and he placed the Liverpool manager in the second spot just behind Oliver Glasner.
“I think he’s done a fabulous job,” Allardyce said. “And I think that I probably should have had him at number one. To come into a football club and buy only one player, after a manager who had such a big personality and such a big love from the fans and everyone at Liverpool you’re taking over an enormous task.”
Allardyce praised Slot’s understated approach, contrasting it with the emotional intensity Klopp embodied.
“It was the quiet way he did it for me not too much emotion, not too much ranting and raving,” he explained. “In fact, he’s been ranting and raving more this year. So there’s something he’s not totally happy with at the minute, but that’s a rare thing to take over somebody like that.”
He also drew comparisons with other clubs who have struggled in similar transitions.
“How long had Jurgen been there? Nine years, something like that,” Allardyce continued. “And we’ve seen so many clubs that have to replace a manager who’s been there a long time fail, like Arsenal when Arsène left, or Manchester United when Alex left. Liverpool have been through that before too, when Bob Paisley stepped aside. It’s a difficult one, and he’s done it brilliantly. The fans still love Klopp, but they’re now very comfortable because he’s slotted in nicely.”
That sentiment captures much of the mood on Merseyside. Slot’s style calm, analytical, and less animated on the touchline has offered a different kind of leadership, one that suits a club evolving beyond the emotional crescendo of the Klopp years.
The early bumps in the current campaign haven’t shaken belief in the project. Liverpool’s hierarchy see Slot’s influence as long-term a steady recalibration rather than an overhaul. His early success was never viewed as a one-off; rather, as proof of a process taking hold.
For all the external noise about form or fatigue, those who have worked closest with Slot are adamant the Dutchman’s quiet revolution is still in motion.
Because in replacing Klopp, Slot hasn’t tried to imitate he’s simply been himself.
