With managerial uncertainty at both Chelsea and Liverpool , Tim Sherwood has clear and decisive views on who fits where. Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , he identifies Iraola as the ideal Chelsea appointment and questions whether Slot has truly won over the Kop .
The former Tottenham boss has also offered his perspective into the recent the recruitment failures at the club, why Bournemouth , Brighton , and Brentford keep getting it right and if Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson fit the bill as signings in advance of the 26/27 season.
Chelsea
Is Liam Rosenior in big trouble at Chelsea?
It is really difficult to manage Chelsea because they are trying to shift the club's structure from the Abramovich era. It is tough for any manager to try and change the mentality of the club. The fans are used to winning and success, Champions Leagues and Premier Leagues . Budget was never an issue. Now you are asking them to be a Brighton , a Bournemouth , or a Brentford , and they are not accepting it. We saw it with Pochettino , with Potter , with Maresca , and now Liam is finding it very difficult.
Their recruitment has not been fantastic. I think they have good players, but you need to win football matches at Chelsea and stay in the job. I think the players have too much power. When they go away on international duty and talk to the native press, it always feeds back as something negative. You do not need all that. It is the last thing a young manager needs. I am not sure the Chelsea fans will tolerate this for much longer.
Would Unai Emery reject the Chelsea job?
I will tell you one man who would do it — and he is doing it right now at Bournemouth . That is Andoni Iraola . If Iraola was up for grabs at the end of the season, he is an elite manager who is willing to do whatever they want him to do. He lost a whole back five last year. They went to Real Madrid , PSG , and Liverpool . Then their best player goes to Man City in January . The man just gets on with it, keeps his mouth shut.
Tavernier has been outstanding, Junior Kroupi is producing. Iraola has not murmured once. He is an elite, top-drawer manager and a perfect fit for Chelsea . But there will be a queue around the block for his services.
Arne Slot
Does Arne Slot deserve to keep his job at Liverpool?
Arne Slot should be given leeway for winning the Premier League . It is not easy, and it has been a long time. For him to win it last year, I think he has earned some slack. If he were to finish outside the Champions League spots, I am not sure he would survive that. In fact, I am not sure he survives it anyway, because I think the fans are very disgruntled. I have never heard the fans voice so much dissent about their manager in recent years, or possibly ever.
He has not got that connection that Jurgen had. Jürgen was very charismatic, an unbelievable character who immersed himself in the club and the city. Even when he was not getting results in the early years, they could see progress and an identity. I am not sure we see an identity now. It is a big contrast between the rock and roll football that Jurgen had and the more pragmatic, slow build-up football that Arne Slot prefers. I am not sure that suits Liverpool , but I think he has earned the right to have another year.
Would Xabi Alonso as Steven Gerrard's assistant be a smart appointment?
Xabi is obviously a good coach who has had success in Germany against all odds. It did not work out at Real Madrid because they do not want a coach — the players have too much control. I feel that Xabi's personality needs a bit of personality alongside him, and that would be Steven Gerrard . But who would be the top man? They are both managers in their own right. Having them both is a good shout. In isolation, Xabi would be the obvious choice if he went in on his own, but I am not sure that would happen.
Andoni Iraola would be right in the frame, as he knows Richard Hughes from their days at Bournemouth . Hughes would have employed him there.
Transfer Talk
Can you see Marcos Senesi joining Spurs in the Championship?
Marcos Senesi in advanced talks with Spurs ? Why, though? He is a good player, plays very well. But how are Bournemouth , Brighton , and Brentford getting their recruitment so right, and Tottenham getting theirs so wrong? The people at Tottenham who bring players in say it is the managers. They have had three now, and it still is not working, so maybe they should look at themselves in the mirror.
Can you see Andy Robertson joining Spurs in the Championship?
Andy Robertson is a Premier League player. He has got loads to offer a Premier League team. Even with the size of the club, Andy has probably got three seasons left. He will not want to spend one of them in the Championship , will he?
Bet on Football Odds at BOYLE Sports
Prices are subject to fluctuation
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly
