Robbie Fowler says he is surprised by Liverpool's appointment of Arne Slot, admitting Jose Mourinho might have been better suited to follow Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
Slot was officially confirmed as Klopp's replacement on Monday, signing a three-year deal
Slot will become the club's first-ever 'head coach' in a new-look setup that will also see Richard Hughes arrive from Bournemouth as sporting director on June 1.
On top of the recruitment of a head coach and a sporting director, Michael Edwards returns to the club as owners Fenway Sports Group's first 'CEO of football'
Fowler, who scored 183 goals for the Reds across 369 appearances, feels former Chelsea boss Mourinho would have been more ideal to succeed such a beloved figure like Klopp
Fowler said:
“I could understand why you would get someone like a Mourinho.
"A case in point would be Real Madrid, for example. When Zinedine Zidane left for the second time in 2021, they didn’t go looking for a young and up-coming manager, they went for an experienced manager in Carlo Ancelotti.
“That experience and that know-how can definitely help a club in transition, but as long as the new manager coming in has the character to go and understand the club, the fans and the culture, then that can make it a little bit easier.
“I do think for this particular club, it doesn’t matter if the replacement is experienced or inexperienced, it’s more about the feel of the manager and the club.
“It’s about how someone like Arne Slot can adapt to that current situation and to the club, then we take it for what it is.
“As long as Arne Slot comes in and creates the right environment for the players to thrive, then he will get the backing of everyone.”
Fowler also thinks his former club should look to target Newcastle United forward Alexander Isak this summer
Fowler likened Isak, who joined the Magpies from Real Sociedad for £60m in 2022, to Sadio Mane
Fowler
“Liverpool will always be linked with some of the best players in the world,"
"That’s just a reflection of the size of the club. You want to be linked to these players who are capable of changing games.
“In the last six weeks or so, it has become evident that Liverpool need a player who can change things and make their attack more varied when it isn’t happening for them.
“I’m not saying that (Mohammed) Kudus is that catalyst however.
“Would he make the club better? He would make the squad better, there is no doubt about that and he is an exciting player.
“There are two players I would genuinely like to see at the club; Ollie Watkins and Alexander Isak.
“I think Watkins has just signed a new deal, but I’ve got a lot of time for him and I think he is brilliant. Isak, for me, reminds me of Sadio Mane as well.
“I don’t want to put things in people’s heads, but I think he would be a good fit as well.
“There’s a bit of a Sadio Mane headache still at Liverpool and I can see a bit of Mane in Isak, in all honesty. You cannot argue about what Mo (Salah) has done for Liverpool over the years.
“As with every football club, there are ifs and buts, but we have to remember that he has been injured for pretty much the first time in his career here and that has played a large part in people’s opinions on his future.
“For me, he has not played well since January, but he’s still scored goals. For me, you have got to keep him, but there will be a point where he has to go.
“But that is the same for a lot of the players at the club currently and that happens in football.
“Personally, I want him to stay and I want him to be successful because if he plays to his best then he is world class and he can help the club win trophies.
“If he can return to being the player that we know he can, it’s an easy decision.”
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