Why “proven winner” isn’t always the point

There’s a trap we all fall into when we talk about managers: trophies become the only argument. If it was as simple as “pick the bloke with the biggest honours list”, then the conversation ends there. But it never really does, does it?

Take José Mourinho as the obvious example. He’s won more than most. And yet plenty of Liverpool supporters wouldn’t want him anywhere near the dugout, because the fit matters as much as the shine on the medals. That doesn’t mean trophies don’t count. It just means they’re not the whole story.

Fit over fame, even when it’s uncomfortable

I’ll be honest about where the frustration comes from: I’m bored of watching a style that feels flat, and I don’t love any approach that looks like it doesn’t properly value hard work and fitness. That might be an unfair read from the outside, and I’m happy to admit I’m not a manager. But as a supporter, you’re allowed to care about how it looks and what it feels like.

Liverpool at our best aren’t just efficient. We’re intense. We’re at teams. There’s a physical standard, an honesty to it, where you can see the work off the ball as clearly as the quality on it.

Why Alonso appeals to people like me

If you’re asking who looks like a good fit from what’s out there, for me it’s Xabi Alonso. The football has been quick, direct and attacking, but with a proper buy-in from the players. That bit matters. You can spot when a group are running for the manager and when they’re just sort of… doing their jobs.

And yes, I rate what he achieved in Germany. Breaking Bayern’s grip with a side that had been in a bad place the season before is no small thing in anyone’s book. It reads like proper coaching, not just inheriting a finished product.

Shape, identity, and the little signals

I also like that he isn’t scared of a back three. It’s not a magic solution, but it shows flexibility and a willingness to build a system around what he’s got, not what a textbook says Liverpool “should” do.

Then there’s the obvious: he’s one of the best players we’ve ever had in the shirt, and that connection counts. Not because sentiment wins matches, but because it can help set standards quickly. You don’t have to sell Liverpool to someone who already gets it.

As for Arne Slot, I don’t dislike him. He’s a league winner and that deserves respect. I’m just not convinced he’s the right fit for what we are and what we want to be. And if you think you can do better, you should at least be willing to say it.

Written by Westwood666: 19 January 2026