Arne Slot has been sacked by Liverpool with immediate effect following a disappointing second season at Anfield that saw the club finish fifth in the Premier League and exit the Champions League at the quarter-final stage — ending the Dutchman’s two-year tenure without a trophy to show for a summer of record spending.
Renowned transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano broke the news of Slot’s departure on X, writing: “EXCLUSIVE: ARNE SLOT AND LIVERPOOL TO PART WAYS WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT. It’s over between the Dutch manager and Liverpool after end of the season review.” Romano also disclosed that Andoni Iraola, who recently departed Bournemouth, was being lined up as Slot’s replacement at Anfield.
Liverpool’s official statement, released by the club’s ownership, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision while making clear that change had become necessary. “That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying,” the statement read. “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.”
The club paid tribute to Slot’s first season, in which he delivered Liverpool’s 20th league title and was named LMA Manager of the Year, while also guiding the side to the Carabao Cup final and the last 16 of the Champions League. “That accomplishment — made all the more remarkable as it arrived in his very first season in charge — was built on outstanding coaching and leadership every single day,” the statement said.
Ownership also acknowledged the human dimension of Slot’s tenure, referencing his handling of the death of Diogo Jota. “He also helped guide the club through one of the most difficult periods imaginable following the loss of Diogo. The compassion and humanity he showed throughout that time said a great deal about him as a person.”
Despite those tributes, the club was unequivocal that the team’s trajectory demanded a new direction. “The conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team’s trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction,” the statement confirmed. “That does not diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him. Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it is indicative of the need for a different approach.”
The scale of the second-season collapse had made Slot’s position increasingly untenable. Liverpool had backed him heavily in last summer’s transfer window, breaking their transfer record twice with the acquisitions of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, and also bringing in Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. Despite that enormous outlay, the Reds finished fifth — only just qualifying for the Champions League — and fell 14 points behind leaders Arsenal during the campaign.
Slot’s decision to bench Mohamed Salah for both legs of the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain proved particularly damaging, with Liverpool failing to win a single game in 2026 that Salah sat out. The Egyptian, who has since confirmed his own departure from the club, was among several high-profile exits that defined a chaotic end to the season. Ibrahima Konate left as a free agent, Trent Alexander-Arnold had already departed on the same terms, and Andy Robertson joined Tottenham.
Liverpool took the final decision after consultations with senior players, with the atmosphere at Anfield described as mutinous in the weeks leading up to the announcement.
Iraola remains the frontrunner to succeed Slot, having built a strong reputation for his pressing-based, tactically disciplined approach during his time at Bournemouth. Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool midfielder recently sacked by Real Madrid, has also been linked with the role. The club confirmed the process to appoint a successor is already under way.
Liverpool’s statement closed with a message of goodwill: “Arne leaves with our gratitude, with a Premier League title to his name, and with the knowledge that he and his family will always be welcomed back at Anfield.”
Liverpool confirm process to appoint Slot successor ‘under way’
Liverpool have shared the news of their head coach’s departure on social media.
The club said Arne Slot left with “our deepest gratitude and appreciation.”
But they added that the search for his successor was now “under way”.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
