Liverpool’s surge toward another league triumph has a fresh twist this season. In his first year on Merseyside, Arne Slot stands on the cusp of becoming only the fifth manager in Premier League history to lift the trophy at the first attempt. He would join José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, Manuel Pellegrini, and Antonio Conte in an ultra-selective group.
For a club steeped in tradition, there’s a sense that something extraordinary is happening under Slot, whose calm authority differs starkly from Jürgen Klopp’s vocal, high-energy approach. Slott’s measured style, combined with a fluid passing game, has propelled Liverpool 13 points clear at the top with six matches left.
José Mourinho
In 2004-05, Mourinho exploded onto the English scene after winning the Champions League with Porto. “Please don’t call me arrogant,” he famously said, “but I’m European champion and I think I’m a special one.” That self-belief set the tone at Chelsea. They finished with 95 points, conceded just 15 goals, and redefined dominance.
Carlo Ancelotti
Five years later, Carlo Ancelotti took the Stamford Bridge hot seat and transformed Chelsea’s style. They rattled in 103 goals, setting a new benchmark for Premier League attacking prowess. Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard thrived in a system that encouraged freedom in the final third. Ancelotti’s success was immediate, though his stay proved brief.
Manuel Pellegrini
Manchester City handed Pellegrini the reins in 2013-14. His team chased the title neck-and-neck with Liverpool, whose dreams collapsed after a late-season slip. City’s mix of Yaya Touré’s powerhouse displays and Sergio Agüero’s clinical finishing delivered the trophy. Pellegrini spent hundreds of millions of dollars during his City tenure, but that first season remains his standout achievement in England.
Antonio Conte
Chelsea turned to Conte in 2016-17, a season after they had slumped near the relegation zone. He quickly molded a fierce 3-4-2-1 formation, guiding the team to 13 straight league wins by Christmas. That streak did the heavy lifting in his title push, making Chelsea unstoppable. Conte has since proven adept at rejuvenating fallen giants, whether in London or now at Napoli.
Slot aims to emulate these four with a Liverpool side that spent far less than some rivals.
Mathematically, Liverpool still needs a few more points, but fans sense the inevitability. Slot’s approach, built on togetherness and tactical clarity, has taken the league by storm. If he seals the deal, Slot will be the first Dutchman to win the English title, and only the third Liverpool manager to do it right away. The club’s pedigree grows even richer, and Slot’s reputation grows with it.
