Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been handed a two-game touchline ban for his red card against Everton. Slot was dismissed for approaching referee Michael Oliver on the pitch after the 2-2 Premier League draw at Goodison Park on February 12. He will miss the league leaders’ home game with Newcastle on Wednesday and the visit of Southampton on March 8.
The incident that led to Slot’s ban occurred after James Tarkowski’s 98th-minute equalizer sparked chaotic scenes, with Everton fans entering the field to celebrate. Liverpool thought Tarkowski’s goal should have been ruled out for a push on defender Ibrahima Konate in the build-up.
In addition to Slot’s ban, Liverpool assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff was also banned for two games and fined £7,000, while the club was fined £65,000 for failing to control their players. Everton was fined £50,000 for the same offense.
Slot will be able to return to the touchline for the Champions League last-16 first-leg tie with Paris St-Germain on March 5. The Reds are currently 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Meanwhile, former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has spoken out about the challenges of managing modern players. Ten Hag, who was sacked by United in October, believes that today’s players are more sensitive to criticism and require a more nuanced approach.
“This generation usually finds it difficult to deal with criticism. Criticism really gets to them,” Ten Hag said in an interview. “The generation that I grew up in had much thicker skin. You could be much more direct.”
Ten Hag’s comments come after a tumultuous spell at Manchester United, where he clashed with several high-profile players, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho. Despite his struggles, Ten Hag praised the United fans for their support, saying, “What makes the Manchester United fans so special is that they stand by the team even in the face of setbacks.”
The two stories highlight the challenges faced by football managers in the modern game. Slot’s ban serves as a reminder of the intense pressure and emotions involved in the sport, while Ten Hag’s comments offer a glimpse into the changing dynamics between managers and players.
