Liverpool ‘miss out on new addition due to assist Arne Slot’ earlier than sack name
Arne Slot was sacked as Liverpool manager on Saturday, with Andoni Iraola heavily linked with the vacancy
Arne Slot was closing in on an addition to his coaching staff at Liverpool before his dismissal. (Image: Jacob King/PA Wire.)
Liverpool had agreed to bolster Arne Slot’s coaching team before seemingly changing their mind and instead dismissing the Dutchman. Even in the hours leading up to Slot’s departure from Anfield, the manager was convinced that Etienne Reijnen was arriving from Feyenoord.
The Reds confirmed Slot’s exit on Saturday afternoon, with Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola the frontrunner to replace him. It was confirmed earlier this season that the manager would leave the Vitality Stadium at the end of the current campaign.
The decision to make a change seems to represent a striking change of heart from just days earlier from Liverpool. The Reds seemed to be on the verge of appointing Reijnen, who had worked alongside Slot at Feyenoord.
He departed his position with the Dutch outfit earlier this month and allegedly informed his inner circle that he was gearing up to join a Premier League club. Liverpool rekindled their pursuit after the coach had been unable to obtain a work permit when Slot initially joined the club in 2024.
The Telegraph reports that Reijnen had bid farewell to contacts in Rotterdam and was poised to switch to Anfield. It’s claimed there was no hint of the plan altering as late as 5.30pm on Friday evening.
Slot’s dismissal means the addition is not likely to happen, with the incoming manager, whether that’s Iraola or another candidate, probably wanting to install his own backroom team. For Iraola, this could involve Tommy Elphick.
The Bournemouth assistant manager declined the chance to become Bristol City boss this week, and is reportedly weighing up his next step carefully.
Bournemouth are eager to retain the coach to work under new boss Marco Rose, but The Telegraph suggests that Iraola would want to bring him to Anfield if he lands the Liverpool job.
Discussing the potential appointment of Iraola on TNT Sports, Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard said: “I think he’s done a fabulous job at Bournemouth.
“I think his style would suit Liverpool. But let’s not beat around the bush.
“Liverpool Football Club is an attractive job for a lot of elite managers around the world.
“So I don’t think he’ll be the only name on the table. But because of the link to Bournemouth and the guys that have come from Bournemouth to Liverpool in terms of board level, they will know him very well.”
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