Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is set to remain at Anfield for the 2026/27 season following a definitive decision by Fenway Sports Group (FSG) to back the Dutchman despite a significant drop in league performance. The club is now finalising the appointment of Etienne Reijnen (42) as a first-team coach and set-piece specialist, according to reports from The Telegraph, a move that signals a commitment to restructuring Slot's backroom staff. While unverified rumours of player dissatisfaction surfaced earlier this month, senior FSG leadership alongside Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards have opted against a change in management following an extensive end-of-season review.
Backroom reinforcement as Reijnen arrives
The move for Reijnen, currently at Feyenoord, marks the conclusion of a long-standing pursuit by Slot. As first reported by The Telegraph, Slot originally attempted to bring the analyst and coach to Merseyside in 2024, but the transition was blocked by work permit complications. His arrival is specifically designed to address Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities; after winning the Premier League title in 2024/25, the squad has struggled throughout the current campaign, dropping to 5th place. Integrating a specialist coach follows the blueprint used during the Jurgen Klopp era, where niche appointments like Thomas Gronnemark (throw-ins) and set-piece specialists were utilised to extract marginal gains. Reijnen's existing tactical shorthand with Slot is viewed as essential for correcting a defensive unit that has looked increasingly porous.
FSG backing following record investment
The decision to retain Slot comes amidst intense scrutiny following a summer of unprecedented spending. Liverpool committed between £400 million and £500 million on new arrivals in 2025, but the investment failed to secure a top-four finish. Despite this "sophomore slump," The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that "the intention of the club and Fenway Sports Group is to stick with Arne Slot into next season and give him longer." This stability contrasts with reports from TEAMtalk suggesting a sack decision had been discussed with senior players. By sanctioning the appointment of a key Slot ally in Reijnen, Edwards and Hughes are effectively doubling down on the current project rather than preparing for a managerial change. Slot is expected to lead the team for the final match of the season against Brentford before a planned summer squad refresh.
The focus now shifts to whether the addition of Reijnen can revitalise a squad that has struggled to maintain the physical and tactical intensity of Slot's debut title-winning campaign.