Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen gave an awkward response during an interview when he was asked who he thinks could be the club's next manager
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen delivered an awkward response during an interview when quizzed about who he believes could become the club's next manager. The Reds are on the hunt for a new boss following Arne Slot's exit from the Anfield hotseat on Saturday.
Slot departed Liverpool having secured a Premier League title and steered the Reds to a fifth-place finish in his second campaign, which proved sufficient to seal Champions League qualification. Liverpool are now seeking a successor, with ex-Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola emerging as the leading candidate for the position.
The Reds are expected to enter talks with Iraola's representatives this week regarding a potential agreement to bring the 43-year-old to Merseyside, with Liverpool eager to confirm the appointment of a new manager ahead of the World Cup starts on June 11. Owen was at Chester races on Saturday and was questioned by Sky Sports reporter Matt Chapman, who asked the former Liverpool forward about the club's managerial search.
Chapman asked: "If you could pick a manager for Liverpool, who would you pick?" In response, Owen said: "It looks like Iraola might have a chance, doesn't it? The Bournemouth manager. Do you know him?"
Chapman then stated he does not know Iraola, before Owen added: "I know him very well." Owen then made a dig at Chapman with his subsequent comment. The former striker said: "I love the way you ask football questions, but you don't know anything about football."
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Chapman, a Tottenham Hotspur supporter, then quipped back: "I know about survival in the Premier League, and that's all that matters." Owen then had the final say in the exchange by responding: "Liverpool are a bit more than that, I think, but anyway."
Iraola remains the frontrunner to secure the Liverpool manager's position, with the Spanish coach believed to be regarded as the perfect fit for the role.
The 43-year-old steered Bournemouth to sixth place in the Premier League, the loftiest finish in the club's history, which also secured Europa League qualification for the first time.