Arne Slot sacked by Liverpool as substitute ‘beneath sturdy consideration’

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has lost his job after a woeful defence of the Premier League title just 12 months after he lifted it at Anfield in his debut season

View 6 Images

Arne Slot is set to leave Liverpool with immediate effect after losing his job following a miserable season.

The Premier League giants released a statement on Saturday afternoon that 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. He leaves with a Premier League title to his name and our deepest gratitude and appreciation.”

The full statement read: “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.”

JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

In a joint statement, Liverpool’s ownership underlined its appreciation for the success Arne brought to the club and also the leadership displayed in his two years in charge: “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.”

Slot, 47, replaced the legendary Jurgen Klopp at Anfield just 12 months ago, taking what many pundits observed was an unenviable job. But he confounded expectations by guiding Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th top flight title in his debut season in Merseyside, further cementing their status as England’s most successful club.

However, after that initial success fuelled by the goalscoring exploits of talisman Mohamed Salah, the next season began with tragedy, following the death of forward Diogo Jota in a car crash in Spain. The club’s pre-season plans were left in tatters as the Dutchman oversaw a grieving club dealing with the horrific loss of the 28-year-old Portuguese star.

The Dutchman and sporting director Hughes saw key creative star Trent Alexander-Arnold depart for Real Madrid and the title winning squad was ripped up, as they also sanctioned selling key players like Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich, plus striker Darwin Nunez to Al-Hilal.

Nearly £450m was spent on incoming stars, including record breaking deals for £116m German midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen and £125m British transfer record Alexander Isak from Newcastle United. But they along with a raft of other signings flopped during an injury hit campaign, which saw the Reds sink to fifth in the table and end the campaign without any silverware.

He also had to contend with a public fallout with Salah, who criticised his management and the direction of the club after he was benched for three successive games during a shocking run in autumn, and by mutual consent left the club on a free transfer at the end of the season, despite only signing a new two-year contract last May.

Football transfers guru Fabrizio Romano earlier posted on X on Saturday afternoon: “EXCLUSIVE: ARNE SLOT AND LIVERPOOL TO PART WAYS WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT. It’s over between the Dutch manager and Liverpool after end of the season review. Andoni Iraola, clear favourite to take over as next #LFC head coach.”

The Independent’s Miguel Delaney confirmed the report, posting: “Slot to be sacked. Iraola is under strong consideration.”

Former Bournemouth manager Iraola, 43, left his club at the end of the season and has been linked to Liverpool due to his connections with the Reds’ sporting director Richard Hughes, who hired the Spanish coach for the Cherries.

Iraola took the Bournemouth job in 2023 and has been praised for his impressive tenure, this season guiding the team to the highest league finish in their history – sixth, just one place below Liverpool – and their first-ever qualification for European football.