Liverpool sack Arne Slot and have replacement in sight | Football | Sport
Liverpool have officially sacked Arne Slot. A statement from the club on Saturday afternoon read: “Liverpool FC can confirm Arne Slot is to depart his role as head coach with immediate effect and that the process to appoint a successor is under way.
“Having joined the club in June 2024, Arne went on to deliver our 20th league title in his first season in charge, ending the 2024-25 campaign as LMA Manager of the Year having also guided the team to the Carabao Cup final and the last 16 of the Champions League. He subsequently oversaw Champions League qualification for a second successive season in 2025-26 as the Reds also reached the quarter-finals of the same competition.”
The Liverpool ownership have been quoted in the announcement with stated that they have “collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward”. It was added that “the conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team’s trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction”.
Andoni Iraola is among those linked to replacing him with Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano stating he is the clear favourite to take the reigns at Anfield after leaving Bournemouth at the end of the 2025/26 campaign. Despite a poor season, Slot looked set to remain in his position having acquired a significant amount of credit in the bank through winning the league 12 months ago.
However, club chiefs look to have decided against continuing with the Dutchman after an end-of-season review. The Reds finished fifth in the Premier League after starting the season as champions. Slot joins Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah in leaving the club this month, with the legendary duo playing their final games last weekend.
When asked about his future earlier this month, Slot said: “I don’t think I am deciding that myself alone. I have every reason to believe that I am the Liverpool manager next season. First of all, I am contracted to this club, and second of all from all the talks we are having.”
Iraola has been linked with other managerial vacancies including Bayer Leverkusen, AC Milan and Crystal Palace. He guided the Cherries to a Europa League finish this season after they went unbeaten for the final 18 league games of the season.
Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann are other potential options while Oliver Glasner is out of work after leaving Crystal Palace. Xabi Alonso also appeared to be an option but he has since joined Chelsea with Iraola clearly the most likely option to come in at Liverpool.
