Liverpool have sacked Arne Slot and have also missed out on Xabi Alonso, who has already agreed to join Chelsea
14:02, 30 May 2026Updated 14:06, 30 May 2026
Xabi Alonso with Arne Slot
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Xabi Alonso with Arne Slot
Chelsea's decision to move quickly to bring in Xabi Alonso as their new manager next season has paid off - after Arne Slot was sacked by Liverpool on Saturday.
The Reds have parted ways with the Dutchman after a number of poor performances – the team lost 19 times this season – and they stumbled to fifth place to secure Champions League football after taking just two points from their last four matches.
Last season was a huge disappointment for the Premier League giants, given they'd won the league title in Slot's debut season the previous year.
“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,” said a statement.
“He leaves with a Premier League title to his name and our deepest gratitude and appreciation.”
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The timing of the decision will anger those supporters who wanted former midfielder Alonso to return to Anfield only for him to join Chelsea less than a fortnight ago.
However, the club’s interest in the Spaniard appeared to have cooled after initially considering him as Jurgen Klopp’s successor only to be told he wanted to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, from where he joined another former club Real Madrid a year later.
Chelsea will, understandably, be delighted that they moved quickly to get Alonso to agree to replace Liam Rosenior. The Spaniard has signed a four-year contract and will officially start in July.
It's great news for Chelsea fans, but Liverpool have now been left with a new headache.
Bournemouth’s departing manager Andoni Iraola was already one of the bookmakers’ favourites even before Slot was sacked, while Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann and PSG manager Luis Enrique are also high up on that list.
In a statement owners Fenway Sports Group said: “That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying.
“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.
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“He also helped guide the club through one of the most difficult periods imaginable following the loss of Diogo (Jota, who died in a car crash last summer).
“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.”