The Future of Management:...

It’s been a while since a matchup between Manchester United and Liverpool felt truly consequential. These two clubs, both highly regarded as the most successful in English football history and sharing a fierce rivalry that has lasted over a century, seemed to take a backseat to other pivotal matches over the weekend. These included clashes featuring leading title contenders like Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as the four teams battling to avoid relegation alongside Wolves and Burnley including Leeds, Nottingham Forest, West Ham, and Tottenham.

In their recent contest, United clinched a 3-2 victory, confirming their place in next season’s Champions League. Meanwhile, barring an improbable turn in goal difference, Liverpool requires only three points from their final three matches to secure their own qualification. However, both clubs face pressing decisions regarding their managerial futures—this match underlined enough inconsistencies to raise doubts about the prospects of Michael Carrick and Arne Slot at the helm.

All indications from Anfield suggest that Slot will likely retain his position. Yet, when United went up 2-0 within the first 14 minutes, there were concerns that a significant defeat could jeopardize his job. No one can deny that Liverpool’s season has been subpar—they’ve suffered 11 Premier League losses and were dominated by Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final exit. Nonetheless, there are valid justifications for their struggles.

One of the most significant reasons being the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. It may take years for the players to truly comprehend the emotional impact of his death and even longer to articulate it; however, it would be strange if grief had not affected at least some members of the squad.

Moreover, there were football-related reasons that hinted at complications for Liverpool this season. The previous year was peculiar; they secured the title against expectations despite signing only one senior player during the summer. By the season’s close, it was clear they needed five or six new signings. Additionally, Slot had started to acknowledge that opponents had figured out his tactics. While it might be fair to label their recent success as the final flourish of Jürgen Klopp’s era, Slot’s more cautious approach created a new dynamic that proved effective.

Any club undertaking five major signings and altering their style accepts a certain level of risk. Adapting to a new system invariably takes time, and Liverpool faced two challenges: delays in finalizing the Alexander Isak deal and the unfortunate injury setbacks for key signings like Isak, Hugo Ekitiké, and Florian Wirtz, who have only managed to start a single match together. The strategic plan remains unclear, and practically speaking, it has not been possible to execute it.

Concurrently, several pivotal players—such as Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister, Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konaté, and to a degree Virgil van Dijk—have faced declines in performance. Although Slot bears some responsibility, it seems reasonable to consider that a manager who clinched the league title in his first season could be granted some leeway during a challenging year, unless, of course, Liverpool already has a top-tier candidate in mind for his replacement.

Perhaps Slot’s most significant challenge lies in the intensity of the bond between Klopp and Liverpool fans, which was so exhausting that anything that follows is likely to feel more transactional by nature. This dynamic is manageable if results remain favorable, but it creates a lack of emotional capital to draw upon in times of adversity.

While Liverpool grapples with uncertainty, it appears that United may have found some clarity. Carrick began as an interim manager but has secured 10 victories and drawn two in his 14 matches in charge. At first glance, this may seem impressive, but their speedy exits from both cup competitions and the absence of European commitments mean they’re considerably less fatigued compared to many opponents during his tenure. Has his style been captivating enough to convince the decision-makers he can replicate that success with Champions League participation next season? It appears so, as he is likely to be offered the position.

The core question hinges on his performance in training, how the players perceive him, and the impression he has left within the club. Yet, the argument for his permanence lacks overwhelming strength; he has achieved just enough success to complicate the decision-making process.

At this point, it seems conceivable that both Carrick and Slot will still be at the helm when United and Liverpool next face off, but it’s entirely plausible to argue that neither should remain in their positions.

This is an excerpt from “Soccer with Jonathan Wilson,” a weekly analysis from The Guardian US focused on the game in Europe and beyond. Subscribe for free here. If you have a question for Jonathan, feel free to email soccerwithjw@theguardian.com, and he’ll address the best inquiries in a future edition

The Future of Management:…

The Future of Management:…