Time for a new challenge? Cody Gakpo didn’t see the dismissal coming.
1 min readFormer PSV player Cody Gakpo is now preparing with Oranje for the 2026 World Cup in North America. Last week, Gakpo still had to receive the news that Arne Slot was sacked as coach of Liverpool FC. Meanwhile, Gakpo is being linked with a departure from Liverpool.
Slot was ultimately thrown out by the club leadership of The Reds after a disappointing season without trophies and a fifth-place finish in the final standings of the Premier League. Despite that, Gakpo has traveled to the United States with a different feeling.
This is what the winger says in conversation with ESPN. ''No, that is separate from each other. Of course it is a shame that the coach was sacked, especially after a season in which we fought to qualify for the Champions League. The club also issued a statement with the explanation in it,'' the former PSV player tells about it.
Also because Liverpool managed to qualify for the main tournament of the Champions League, Gakpo had not taken into account a possible dismissal of the head coach. ''In the end, I think none of the players saw it coming, but it did happen. Beyond that, I think a lot of the club's players are now working toward the World Cup, so we need to put it aside quickly as well. However difficult it may be,'' the forward continues.
Last season, Slot still managed to lead Liverpool with Gakpo to the league title. This season, the Merseyside club clearly had it harder than last season, and that ultimately resulted in a season without trophies. Is it time for a new challenge for Gakpo? The former PSV player is being linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.
Nevertheless, the winger delivered his thank-you speech to Slot. ''With some players, I definitely have contact; I also do things with them off the pitch. I also sent Slot a message to thank him for the past two years. Of course, with last season as the highlight, so there are great memories,'' concludes Gakpo.
Comments6
I really liked Gakpo at PSV, but the Tottenham link feels like a lateral move. If he goes, it better be for a system that uses his runs and not for bench politics. 👀⚽
Zonde voor Slot, maar ik blijf het raar vinden dat Liverpool zonder prijzen zo snel moest ingrijpen. Gakpo zegt terecht dat hij het niet zag aankomen, maar toch voelt het alsof de koers nu helemaal verandert. Als Tottenham komt, moet hij wel snel de juiste rol krijgen, anders wordt het weer gedoe.
tbh gwn logisch dat gakpo dat ontslag "niet aankwam" zegt. als je nog vecht voor CL, denk je niet ineens dat je trainer de deur uit gaat. maar die transfer-geruchten naar tottenham blijven wel spicy 👀
"put it aside quickly" is such a pro answer tbh, but you know it messes with routines. Hard to blame him for not expecting the sacking after fighting for top 4.
Tbh you can feel how weird that is, "none of the players saw it coming" ... but Slot still had to go after the trophy-less season. If Tottenham are serious, Gakpo needs minutes and a clear role, not vibes.
Woord voor woord: ik snap dat hij het snel wil parkeren. Maar tbh, als je bij Liverpool ziet dat Slot eruit ligt na een mindere periode, dan is "nieuwe uitdaging" toch ook gewoon logisch voor Gakpo. Tottenham wordt dan ineens ineens best spannend.