Ajax Rejected by Liverpool Manager as Dutch Giants Hit Rock Bottom
Arne Slot's swift refusal to return to the Eredivisie exposes how far Ajax have fallen while raising questions about Liverpool's blind faith in their struggling boss

Ajax have been firmly rejected by Liverpool manager Arne Slot after making a surprise enquiry for the under-fire Dutch tactician, according to Mike Verweij of De Telegraaf. The 47-year-old's immediate refusal to even consider a return to the Eredivisie represents a stunning role reversal for the Amsterdam giants.
The approach comes as Liverpool sit 18 points behind Arsenal after their worst season in living memory, yet Slot apparently views staying at crisis-hit Anfield as preferable to taking charge of the four-time European champions.
Ajax's Desperation Meets Liverpool's Delusion
The enquiry itself tells two damning stories. For Ajax, it reveals a club so desperate they're approaching managers whose teams have lost 11 Premier League matches before February. For Liverpool, it exposes FSG's bewildering commitment to a manager who has overseen the club's most catastrophic campaign in decades.
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The Rejection That Says Everything
Verweij revealed the brutal truth on the Kick-off podcast:
I was told again that they also informed Arne Slot. Slot is still very firmly in the saddle; he will continue at Liverpool. I also understood that Arne Slot is not very keen to go to Ajax at this time in his career.
Those final nine words cut deepest. "At this time in his career" suggests Ajax have become a backwards step even for a manager breaking 113-year-old records for defeats at Liverpool.
Liverpool's Staggering Decline Under Slot
The numbers paint a picture of total collapse:
- 11 league defeats before February
- 18 points behind leaders Arsenal
- First manager in 113 years to lose home and away to both Manchester clubs
- Most recent humiliation: a 3-2 defeat to Manchester United
Yet FSG remain unmoved, clinging to the memory of Slot's Premier League title just 12 months ago.
How Far the Mighty Have Fallen: Ajax's Managerial Merry-Go-Round
Ajax's approach for Slot represents rock bottom for a club that once represented the pinnacle of European football. The Amsterdam giants are now searching for their fourth permanent manager in three seasons, a statistic that would have been unthinkable during their glory years.
From Destination Club to Desperation
The Johan Cruyff Arena was once where careers were made, not salvaged. Now they're being rejected by managers whose teams are in freefall. The managerial chaos has transformed Ajax from kingmakers to beggars:
- Four permanent managers needed in three seasons
- Rejected by a manager 18 points off the pace in England
- Now turning to Girona's Mรญchel as their next target
The Prestige Gap Closes
That Slot views remaining at crisis-club Liverpool as preferable to returning home speaks volumes. Ajax, with their four European Cups and production line of world-class talent, have somehow become less attractive than a Liverpool side breaking records for incompetence.
The Dutch giants' fall from grace mirrors their domestic decline. No longer the automatic first choice for ambitious Dutch coaches, they're now fishing in pools of managers under severe pressure elsewhere.
FSG's Gamble: Why Liverpool Are Standing by Their Failing Manager
While Ajax scramble for their fourth manager in three years, Liverpool's American owners are taking the opposite approach. Despite fan fury and historical lows, FSG appear determined to give Slot time to fix his mess.
The Premier League Title Defence
FSG's patience stems from one undeniable fact: Slot delivered the Premier League title just 12 months ago. That triumph, Liverpool's second in the Premier League era, has apparently bought him immunity from the sack despite the current disaster.
The contrast with Ajax's trigger-happy approach is stark. Where the Dutch club cycles through managers seeking instant success, FSG are betting that last season's triumph wasn't a fluke.
Blind Faith or Strategic Vision?
The Liverpool hierarchy's stance raises fundamental questions:
- Is one title worth enduring the worst season in memory?
- Can a manager who's lost the fans truly rebuild?
- Does FSG's patience represent admirable long-term thinking or dangerous delusion?
The fans have already delivered their verdict. Slot has lost the support of the Kop, yet FSG remain unmoved. They're gambling that the manager who delivered glory can do so again, even as the evidence mounts that this season is beyond salvation.
What Happens Next
Ajax will likely secure Mรญchel from Girona, continuing their managerial merry-go-round while hoping for stability. The Spanish coach represents their latest attempt to recapture former glories through yet another new voice in the dugout.
For Liverpool and Slot, the path ahead looks far rockier. FSG's patience will be tested by every defeat, every dropped point, every reminder of how far the club has fallen. The question isn't whether Slot wants to stay - Ajax's rejection proves he does. It's whether Liverpool's owners will maintain their nerve as the season spirals further out of control.
The role reversal is complete: Ajax chase their fourth manager while being rejected by those they approach, Liverpool stick with a failing boss who won't even consider leaving. In football's twisted logic, both clubs might be making exactly the wrong decision.
SportSignals is an independent publication. Views expressed are our own.
Sources
This article is based on reporting from the publications above. Specific facts and quotes are credited inline where used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Arne Slot reject Ajax's approach?
Slot views staying at Liverpool as preferable to returning to Ajax, despite Liverpool sitting 18 points off the top. He reportedly is not keen to move to Ajax at this stage of his career.
How many managers have Ajax needed in recent seasons?
Ajax are searching for their fourth permanent manager in three seasons, highlighting their ongoing managerial instability since their recent decline.
What is Liverpool's current league position under Slot?
Liverpool sit 18 points behind Arsenal after suffering 11 Premier League defeats, their worst season performance in living memory under Slot's management.
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