Slot’s your lot Arne: Liverpool sack boss with Andoni Iraola waiting in the wings
English club say sacking was ‘difficult decision’ and search for successor will begin immediately
Liverpool have sacked Arne Slot just 12 months after the Dutchman led the club to their 20th league title in his first season in charge.
In a 434-word statement announcing Slot’s dismissal, Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG), said the decision had been made because “the team’s trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction”.
Andoni Iraola, who recently left Bournemouth after three years as boss, is being tipped to replace Slot.
Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League, at least securing Champions League football for next term. They were dumped out of this season’s Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals, and exited the FA Cup following an embarrassing 4-0 last-eight defeat by Manchester City.
Following a 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa this month, their 12th league loss of the campaign, outgoing attacker Mohamed Salah said Liverpool were “crumbling” under Slot.
“That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying,” FSG said. “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.”