Liverpool dressing room’s reaction to Arne Slot being sacked as boss surprised | Football | Sport

Liverpool manager Arne Slot reportedly only learned of his sacking on Saturday morning, with the Reds wasting no time in starting their search for a new head coach. The Dutchman had faced mounting pressure following a difficult second season at the helm and, despite steering the club to Champions League qualification, was abruptly relieved of his position at the weekend.

Give Me Sport claims the head coach was only informed in the hours before Liverpool‘s official announcement, with departing Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola emerging as the leading candidate to take the reins at Anfield. The report suggests only a ‘handful’ of candidates are under consideration, with Sebastian Hoeness and Pierre Sage also featuring on the club’s shortlist to fill Slot’s shoes. The Daily Mail, meanwhile, reports that Slot was surprised by the decision and that Liverpool players were ‘shocked’ by the news.

The Dutch boss claimed the Premier League title in his debut season at Anfield, but the Reds were a shadow of the formidable side that swept all before them the previous campaign.

Liverpool only secured their place in next season’s Champions League on the final day of the campaign, finishing a staggering 25 points adrift of eventual champions Arsenal. The Reds hierarchy acknowledged it was a tough call to sever ties with Slot, but performances had shown little sign of improvement throughout the campaign.

In a statement, Liverpool’s owners said: “That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying. The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and – most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves – successful.

“As such, our appreciation for everything he has achieved could not be greater, particularly as it was underpinned by a work ethic, a diligence and a level of expertise which further underlined our view that he is a leader in his field.

“From the moment that we first encountered Arne, it was immediately clear that he is an individual who does not merely accept responsibility, he embraces it. This was evident when he agreed to take over as head coach, when he guided us to the Premier League title and throughout the season just ended when he faced considerable challenges and burdens.

“At the same time, we have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward. Again, it must be stressed that this is not a decision which has been reached lightly, anything but.

“We would like to take this opportunity to place on record our appreciation for Arne, who will always hold a special place in the history of this football club as the coach who delivered Liverpool’s 20th league title.

“That accomplishment – made all the more remarkable as it arrived in his very first season in charge – was built on outstanding coaching and leadership every single day.

“He also helped guide the club through one of the most difficult periods imaginable following the loss of Diogo. The compassion and humanity he showed throughout that time said a great deal about him as a person.

“As such, we can only wish Arne well in the next stage of his coaching career, with our expectation being that he will continue to be successful. We do so in the knowledge that his Liverpool legacy is intact and will become yet more meaningful in the years and decades to come.

“Nevertheless, the conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team’s trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction. That does not diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him. Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it is indicative of the need for a different approach.

“Arne leaves with our gratitude, with a Premier League title to his name, and with the knowledge that he and his family will always be welcomed back at Anfield.”