Head coach Arne Slot has been dismissed by Liverpool after two seasons at the helm.
The 47-year-old Dutchman led the Reds to their 20th league title in his inaugural season, but the team faced difficulties in his second year, finishing fifth in the Premier League.
Recently fired Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola emerges as the frontrunner to succeed Slot.
According to BBC Sport, an initial inquiry has been made regarding the position.
“The decision to part ways with Arne was undoubtedly difficult for us as a club,” stated Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group (FSG). “His contributions to Liverpool FC during his tenure have been substantial, meaningful, and most importantly—successful.”
“Our appreciation for his achievements cannot be overstated, especially as they were backed by a strong work ethic, diligence, and a level of skill that emphasized our belief in him as a leader in this field.”
“From our first interaction with Arne, it was clear he is someone who not only accepts responsibility but truly embraces it.”
Despite securing a spot in next season’s Champions League, Liverpool closed the season with just 60 points— their lowest total since the 2015-16 season and 25 points behind champions Arsenal.
The decision was made by Michael Edwards, FSG’s CEO, and Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director.
Although Liverpool had previously indicated that a coaching change was not on the agenda, the club’s leadership reassessed the situation after the season’s conclusion and concluded that a shift toward a more aggressive and dynamic style of play was necessary.
Iraola, 43, is highly regarded in European football and is well known for his attacking philosophy.
The Spaniard was appointed at Bournemouth during Hughes’ tenure as technical director there, a position he left in 2024 to join Liverpool.
Bournemouth finished just one position and three points behind Liverpool, qualifying for next season’s Europa League.
Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool’s manager in 2024 after Klopp stepped down following nine successful years at Anfield.
Earlier this month, forward Mohamed Salah emphasized the need for the club to revert to being a “heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear” following their defeat against Aston Villa.
Much of Liverpool’s triumphs under Klopp, who guided the team to win every major trophy, were characterized by this style of play.
“We believe a change in direction is necessary to best address the team’s trajectory. This decision doesn’t diminish the efforts Arne has put in or our respect for him. It’s simply a recognition of the need for a different approach,” the statement further explained.
“Arne departs with our gratitude, having led us to a Premier League title, and he and his family will always have a warm welcome at Anfield.”
Liverpool significantly invested £415m last summer on six players, making it the largest spending spree by a British club in a single transfer window, in hopes of retaining their title.
They also shattered the British transfer record to bring in Alexander Isak from Newcastle for £125m, along with Bayer Leverkusen and Germany star Florian Wirtz for a record fee of £116m.
In July, forward Diogo Jota tragically passed away in a car accident— a player who featured prominently under Slot.
“We want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for Arne, who will forever have a special place in the history of this club as the coach who secured Liverpool’s 20th league title,” the statement emphasized.
“This remarkable accomplishment, especially in his first season, was achieved through exceptional coaching and daily leadership.”
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“He also guided the club through incredibly challenging times after the loss of Diogo, showcasing immense compassion and humanity. This speaks volumes about his character.”
“We sincerely wish Arne well in the next chapter of his coaching journey, confident that he will continue to experience success. We do so with full awareness that his legacy at Liverpool remains intact and will grow in significance over the years.”