Dutch manager dismissed after two seasons; Andoni Iraola leading contender to replace him following Bournemouth exit.
7:10 PM
Liverpool have sacked head coach Arne Slot with immediate effect after two seasons in charge, the club confirmed Saturday.
Slot, 47, guided Liverpool to their 20th league title in his debut season in 2024-25, also reaching the Carabao Cup final and the Champions League round of 16. However, the club's title defence collapsed in his second year, finishing fifth in the Premier League with 60 points—their lowest tally since 2015-16—and 25 points behind champions Arsenal. Liverpool qualified for next season's Champions League on the final day.
The Dutchman replaced Jurgen Klopp in June 2024. In the 2024-25 campaign, he also guided the club to the Champions League quarter-finals. This season, Liverpool recorded 19 defeats across all competitions, and the campaign was overshadowed by the death of player Diogo Jota.
The club's statement said the decision was difficult but necessary. Liverpool's hierarchy had publicly backed Slot for several months, and the manager had expected to remain in post given Champions League qualification was secured.
Andoni Iraola, 43, is the clear favourite to replace Slot. The Spaniard recently departed Bournemouth, where he worked with Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes before Hughes joined the Merseyside club in 2024. Iraola took charge of his final Bournemouth match on Sunday, a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest that saw the club finish sixth in the Premier League and qualify for the Europa League for the first time in their history.
Liverpool have approached Iraola to discuss the vacant role. Other candidates being considered include Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness and Lens boss Pierre Sage.
Slot's dismissal marks an unusual decision for Liverpool, who have never previously sacked a title-winning manager in the season following their title win. Sir Kenny Dalglish's previous dismissal came during his second spell in charge, in a League Cup-winning campaign.
Tensions in the dressing room featured prominently in the season, with Mohamed Salah among players critical of the manager. The club's hierarchy cited the need for Liverpool's style of play to evolve as part of their reasoning for the change.
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