One ex-Everton star has submitted evidence as to why Liverpool boss Arne Slot looks like he could be set for the sack this summer
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Galatasaray SK and Liverpool FC at Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi
Arne Slot could well be heading for the Anfield exit this summer, according to one Everton icon(Image: Ahmad Mora, Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Former Everton defender Joleon Lescott reckons Liverpool manager Arne Slot could be facing the axe this summer. And there's one crucial bit of evidence that's led him to that conclusion.
It was recently reported Slot was refused permission to bring Johnny Heitinga onto his coaching team after the latter departed Tottenham last month. And Lescott suggested that could be an ominous sign regarding the board's long-term plans, as he told Mirror Sport's Andy Dunn on the latest episode of the All Out Football podcast.
On Liverpool's title defence, Lescott described it as "very up and down" before mentioning Diogo Jota's tragic 2025 death as something that must be considered: "If a player suffered a bereavement and had an off season, we would be compassionate to that a lot more than we're being compassionate to the fact that everyone suffered that bereavement.
"Every player, every fan, every member of staff that's impacted. So there's got to be some real consideration to what that's done [to Liverpool's fortunes on the field]."
The ex-Everton star suggested Slot has been a victim of the high expectations set by clinching the league title in his debut season. He also pointed out that Liverpool remain contenders for both the Champions League and FA Cup this year, arguing fans would have "snapped your hand off" for such achievements following Jurgen Klopp's departure in 2024.
John Heitinga speaking at a Champions League press conference
Johnny Heitinga was reportedly rejected by Liverpool after Slot asked for him to join his staff(Image: Alex Bierens de Haan - UEFA via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
"So I don't know how [Slot] can be questioned," Lescott continued. "And I've seen that he wanted Heitinga to come back in, and they've said no. So the fact they're stopping him from getting staffing means, yeah, there's probably potential change at the end of the season."
Former Everton full-back Heitinga, who faced Slot's Feyenoord while serving as interim Ajax manager, left Spurs following Thomas Frank's dismissal last month. It was reported the Dutchman had the option to stay on at the club but chose to depart instead.
It's never a good sign when a manager is denied the opportunity to bring in his preferred staff. However, there could be numerous reasons why Liverpool's top brass reportedly turned down Heitinga, who previously worked as Slot's No. 2 in a separate spell.
Liverpool's campaign suffered another setback on Tuesday with a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League. The Reds now face the task of overturning this deficit at Anfield in next week's second leg if they hope to progress to the quarter-finals.
Slot's team are also set to face Manchester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals in early April. The Premier League title defence has long been conceded, with the club currently sitting sixth and 19 points behind leaders Arsenal with just nine games remaining.
Liverpool have bounced back from their mid-season dip in time to potentially end this season with major silverware. But after the euphoria of his debut season at Anfield, Slot may already be fighting to prove he's still the right man for the job beyond this term.
ANDY DUNN EPISODE ON YOUTUBE : Subscribe now to be the first to watch the latest episodes of In The Mixer and other original shows, brought to you by Sky Bet. Watch All Out Football's episode with Andy Dunn here.