Arne Slot has been fired as head coach at Liverpool.
The Dutchman departs just a year after leading the Reds to their 20th league title following a disappointing fifth-place finish in his second season in charge.
Recently departed Bournemouth manager Andoni Iroala is the frontrunner to succeed him, Sky Sports news understands.
A Liverpool statement announcing Slot’s exit read: “That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying.
“Arne’s contribution to Liverpool FC during his time with us has been significant, meaningful and – most importantly for supporters and ourselves – successful.
“As such, our appreciation for all he has achieved could not be greater, especially as it was supported by a work ethic, a diligence and a level of excellence that further underscored our view that he is a leader in his field.
“At the same time, we have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary for the club to continue to move forward. Again, it must be emphasized that this is not a decision that has been made lightly, anything but.
“We would like to take this opportunity to record our appreciation to Arne who will always have a special place in the history of this football club as the coach who delivered Liverpool’s 20th league title.”
Liverpool had no intention of parting ways with Slot during the season, but came to the conclusion that a managerial change was required after reassessing the situation at the end of the campaign.
Liverpool’s fifth-place finish was enough to secure Champions League qualification, but with just 60 points they ended the campaign with their lowest total since 2015/16.
Formal talks with Iraola are to follow
Liverpool are now expected to enter formal talks with Iraola over the vacant head coaching position.
The Spaniard has been in talks with Bayer Leverkusen after appearing to have cool talks with AC Milan earlier this week.
But in the midst of these negotiations, Sky in Italy reported that Iraola was still open to the Liverpool job despite there being no vacancy at Anfield at the time.
Now it is, though, and Iroala has a strong relationship with Liverpool director of football Richard Hughes following their time together at Bournemouth.
Hughes convinced Bournemouth to sign Iraola from Rayo Vallacano in 2023. He has since done a remarkable job, bringing Bournemouth into the Europa League via a sixth-place finish.
Iraola has also had Crystal Palace as an option, but they always expected him to join a bigger club – even after they won the Conference League.
Liverpool’s statement in full
“That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying. The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC during his time with us has been significant, meaningful and – most importantly for supporters and ourselves – successful.
“As such, our appreciation for all he has achieved could not be greater, especially as it was supported by a work ethic, a diligence and a level of excellence that further underscored our view that he is a leader in his field.
“From the moment we first met Arne, it was immediately clear that he is an individual who not only accepts responsibility, he embraces it. It was evident when he agreed to take over as head coach, when he guided us to the Premier League title and during the season just ended when he faced significant challenges and burdens.
“At the same time, we have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary for the club to continue to move forward. Again, it must be emphasized that this is not a decision that has been made lightly, anything but.
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Slot said just two weeks ago that he had “every reason” to believe he would still be Liverpool boss next season
“We would like to take this opportunity to record our appreciation to Arne who will always have a special place in the history of this football club as the manager who delivered Liverpool’s 20th league title.
“This achievement – ​​made all the more remarkable as it came in his very first season in charge – was built on exceptional coaching and leadership every single day.
“He also helped guide the club through one of the most difficult periods imaginable after the loss of Diogo. The compassion and humanity he showed during that time said a lot about him as a person.
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Watch Slot’s final interview as Liverpool manager
“As such, we can only wish Arne the best of luck in the next phase of his coaching career, where our expectation is that he will continue to be successful. We do so in the knowledge that his Liverpool legacy is intact and will become even more meaningful in the years and decades to come.
“Still, the conclusion we’ve reached is based on a belief that the team’s trajectory is best resolved through a change in direction. That doesn’t diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him. Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it’s an expression of the need for a different approach.
“Arne leaves with our gratitude, with a Premier League title to his name and knowing that he and his family will always be welcomed back at Anfield.”
Analysis: Iraola’s style would appeal to fans
Sky Sports News’ Vinny O’Connor on interest in Andoni Iraola:
“It seems to be a decision made for footballing reasons in relation to the style of play.
“We heard from Mohamed Salah not too long ago in a post on social media that he put out. Well, it seems to be a feeling in Liverpool that it’s a matter of style of play.
“The belief is that a different profile of manager is needed to bring out what Liverpool fans would appreciate more as their style of play, the kind of football that we saw under Jurgen Klopp.
Mohamed Salah and Slot had a fraught relationship
“There are all sorts of links with Richard Hughes at Liverpool.
“We broke the news the other day that Iraola wants to hold out for the Liverpool job. He has been linked with several jobs already since the announcement that he is leaving Bournemouth.
“It’s a name that Liverpool fans mention. I would argue that going from managing Bournemouth to Liverpool is a big leap, certainly even bigger than going from Feyenoord to Liverpool, but at the same time the style of play is something that Liverpool fans would certainly relate to.
“I think everyone has been impressed with what he has done at Bournemouth and the style of play he has been able to implement there.
“In terms of that and also emotionally I think he would get Liverpool fans, Liverpool fans would get him.
“I think it’s quite easy to put him at the top of the list at the moment, but I can also imagine Liverpool going through quite a thorough process at the same time.”