FSG's five-point plan to find next Liverpool boss sheds light on how club operates

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With pressure mounting on Arne Slot , Liverpool may be on the verge of another managerial change. If that happens, Fenway Sports Group (FSG) could return to the same recruitment framework that led them to appoint Slot as Jurgen Klopp's successor last year.

Considering the scale of Klopp's achievements at Anfield, finding someone capable of stepping into his shoes was never going to be an easy task. To guide the search, the owners set out five key criteria for potential candidates.

Firstly, they wanted someone with considerable experience of working at a big club. With so many strong characters in the Liverpool dressing room and high-pressure situations arising throughout the season, FSG needed confidence that their choice would thrive rather than crumble when the pressure inevitably mounted.

Secondly, they wanted a manager with a proven track record of winning trophies. With Liverpool striving to compete for every competition they enter, appointing someone who understood what it takes to lift silverware was considered essential.

Thirdly, the new manager needed to be committed to a long-term project. Liverpool have long avoided the revolving-door approach adopted by some of their rivals, instead building success through stability and carefully planned development. A candidate who saw the club as a short-term stop or merely a stepping stone simply wasn't worth considering.

The fourth requirement was to hire a coach who would maximise the potential of the academy. Liverpool have a proud tradition of developing youth players into first-team regulars - and finding someone who shared that philosophy would help maintain the club's connection to the local community, while also potentially saving the owners money on recruitment.

Lastly, FSG wanted a manager who would buy into their financial model. Last summer's record-breaking £450million outlay aside, Liverpool tend not to splash the cash simply for the sake of it, preferring a measured and sustainable approach to the transfer market. FSG were keen to avoid appointing anyone who might push back against that strategy - especially in public.

They didn't expect any candidate to tick all five boxes - but those who met most of the criteria were shortlisted. Initially, Xabi Alonso emerged as the frontrunner, yet the former Liverpool midfielder opted to stay at Bayer Leverkusen before eventually taking charge at Real Madrid earlier this year.

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Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim, now at Manchester United , was also considered, along with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann and former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi. In the end, though, Liverpool turned to Feyenoord's Arne Slot - a choice viewed by some as slightly left-field given his relatively lower profile.

Despite lacking experience at a top European club, Slot's work in the Eredivisie stood out. In 2022/23, he guided Feyenoord to only their second league title of the century, then followed it up by winning the KNVB Cup - the Dutch equivalent of the FA Cup - the following season.

He also demonstrated long-term credentials by transforming Feyenoord into consistent title contenders and placing significant trust in young players, most notably Tyrell Malacia, who joined Manchester United in 2022.

Slot further proved he met FSG's key requirements by refusing to complain when Liverpool spent almost nothing during his first season in charge, showing he fully accepted the club's financial approach.

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After winning the Premier League last season, Slot stated his intention to remain at Anfield for the long term - another indication that he fit FSG's criteria. However, his ability to do so may be in jeopardy if he fails to reverse Liverpool's recent downturn.

Mo Salah's explosive comments following Liverpool's 3-3 draw with Leeds on Saturday have added fuel to the fire. The Egyptian, angered at being benched for three consecutive matches, said he felt "betrayed" and that he had "no relationship" with Slot anymore.

It leaves Slot in a precarious position. Should he be kicked to the curb, the same five-point blueprint that once shaped his appointment may be put to the test again.

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