Liverpool have officially sacked Arne Slott. On Saturday afternoon, the club said in a statement: “Liverpool FC can confirm that Arne Slott has resigned from his position as Head Coach with immediate effect and that the process to appoint his replacement is underway.”
“Arne, who joined the club in June 2024, achieved his 20th league title in his first season in charge and finished the 2024-25 season as LMA Manager of the Year, guiding the team to the Carabao Cup final and the Champions League last 16. He then oversaw Champions League qualification for the second successive season in 2025-26, with the Reds also reaching the quarter-finals of the competition. ”
“We have collectively come to the conclusion that changes are necessary if the club is to continue moving forward,” Liverpool’s owners said in a statement. He added: “The conclusions we have reached are based on the belief that a change in direction is best for the team’s trajectory.”
Andoni Iraola is one of the candidates to replace Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano and says he is the clear frontrunner to take over at Anfield after leaving Bournemouth at the end of the 2025/26 season. Despite a poor season, Slott had earned a lot of credit in the bank by winning the league 12 months ago and looked set to stay put.
However, after a review after the end of the season, club leaders apparently decided not to continue playing with the Dutch player. The Reds finished fifth in the Premier League after starting the season as champions. Slott left the club this month, along with Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah, with the legendary duo set to play their final game last weekend.
Asked about his future earlier this month, Slott said: “I don’t think I am making the decision alone. There is every reason to believe that I will be Liverpool manager next season. Firstly, I am contracted to this club and secondly, it depends on the outcome of all the negotiations that we are having.”
Iraola has been linked with other managerial vacancies at Bayer Leverkusen, AC Milan and Crystal Palace. He led the Cherries to an unbeaten run in their final 18 league games this season and to victory in the Europa League.
Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann could also be other options, with Oliver Glasner out of work after leaving Crystal Palace. Xabi Alonso also appeared to be an option, but has since joined Chelsea and it is clear that Iraola is the most likely option to move to Liverpool.
