As uncertainty deepens around Arne Slot’s future at Liverpool, a quieter battle has been unfolding far away from the dugout — one involving the people closest to him.
Following Liverpool’s latest setback, a painful 4–1 home loss to PSV that marked their ninth defeat in just twelve outings, pressure around the Dutchman has skyrocketed. Club legend Steven Gerrard has already cautioned that “serious questions” are now inevitable, even though both he and Steve McManaman feel it may still be early for drastic decisions.
But behind the football drama lies a far more personal story.
The entire squad and coaching staff are still navigating the emotional fallout from the tragic death of Diogo Jota earlier in the year — a loss that has cast a long shadow over the club. Slot himself has admitted that this season has been mentally exhausting on multiple fronts.
Despite celebrating a stunning first year in charge, Slot’s journey in England has been shaped by the strain of living apart from his family. In a candid interview back in May, he revealed that taking on the Liverpool job meant his wife Mirjam and their children — Joep and Isa — would remain in the Netherlands so the kids could continue their education without disruption.
“My wife visits every couple of weeks, but the children come even less,” he shared, describing the loneliness that comes with life at the top level.
The spotlight that comes with managing a club like Liverpool has also been tough on his family. Slot admitted that Mirjam has struggled with the overwhelming public attention that ramped up even more after his move from Feyenoord. She prefers to stay out of sight, often choosing take-away meals over dining out to avoid the feeling of being constantly watched.
It was this same concern for family that led Slot to reject Tottenham’s approach in 2023, a decision he said was “almost entirely” for the sake of his loved ones. But Liverpool’s call, he added, was impossible to ignore — a once-in-a-lifetime step.
Despite growing speculation about a dismissal agreement being reached, Slot stated on Thursday that his conversations with the club hierarchy remain unchanged from the past year and a half. He insists he is still committed to fighting alongside his players to turn things around.
For now, his chapter at Anfield isn’t closed — not on the pitch, and not at home.
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