Arne Slot has left his position as Liverpool head coach following a disappointing second season in charge, the club have officially announced.
Slot led Liverpool to the Premier League title in his maiden campaign but failed to follow up on that success despite a record-breaking summer spend.
That has led to the decision for the Dutchman to vacate his role as head coach, with Liverpool now actively searching for his replacement.
Liverpool’s statement reads: “Liverpool FC can confirm Arne Slot is to depart his role as head coach with immediate effect and that the process to appoint a successor is under way.”
With over £445 million paid out including British record signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, the expectation was that the Reds would again challenge for further honours.
Instead, Slot has oversaw the most defeats in a single season at Liverpool since 1953/54 (20).
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 3, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot after the FA Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Liverpool FC at Old Trafford. Manchester United won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Having finished third in the Champions League‘s league phase, Liverpool earned a 4-1 aggregate victory over Galatasaray in the round of 16 only to be thrashed 4-0 over two legs by Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals.
An early exit from the Carabao Cup fourth round was followed by defeat to Man City in the FA Cup quarter-finals, with Slot repeatedly pointing out the calibre of opposition his side lost to.
And though their Premier League finish earned Champions League football for next season, it was not enough to save Slot’s job.
That came after fierce opposition from supporters who booed Slot on a number of occasions, with many growing frustrated with the 47-year-old’s uninspiring style of football and a perceived passive-aggressive stance in the media.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, April 25, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah complains about his hamstring to head coach Arne Slot (L) as he is substituted off during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Cracks truly showed when the departing Mohamed Salah issued a veiled criticism of Slot’s coaching in a post on social media following the 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa on the final away game of the season.
The Egyptian’s comments were liked by a number of his team-mates which was interpreted as a sign that the head coach had lost the dressing room.
Whether that was the case is unlikely to be known any time soon, but Slot clearly lost the confidence of the board with Fenway Sports Group acting decisively ahead of a summer in which he would have entered the final year of his contract.
Andoni Iraola, Sebastian Hoeness and Luis Enrique have been touted as early candidates to take over at Liverpool, though no appointment has been made yet.
Statement from Liverpool owners
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 25, 2025: Liverpool's co-owner and NESV Chairman Tom Werner, Director Michael Gordon, and owner John W. Henry with the trophy, as the team celebrate becoming Champions for the 20th time, after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
In a joint statement, Liverpool’s ownership penned:
“That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying. 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.
“As such, our appreciation for everything he has achieved could not be greater, particularly as it was underpinned by a work ethic, a diligence and a level of expertise which further underlined our view that he is a leader in his field.
“From the moment that we first encountered Arne, it was immediately clear that he is an individual who does not merely accept responsibility, he embraces it. This was evident when he agreed to take over as head coach, when he guided us to the Premier League title and throughout the season just ended when he faced considerable challenges and burdens.
“At the same time, we have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward. Again, it must be stressed that this is not a decision which has been reached lightly, anything but.
“We would like to take this opportunity to place on record our appreciation for Arne, who will always hold a special place in the history of this football club as the coach who delivered Liverpool’s 20th league title.
“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.
“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.
“As such, we can only wish Arne well in the next stage of his coaching career, with our expectation being that he will continue to be successful. We do so in the knowledge that his Liverpool legacy is intact and will become yet more meaningful in the years and decades to come.
“Nevertheless, the conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team’s trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction. 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.
“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.”