Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has claimed he is "not surprised" that Arne Slot was dismissed by the Merseyside outfit, following the Dutch head coach's exit.
The Reds announced the move after a thorough post-season review, deciding that ultimately the 2025/26 campaign was concerning enough to warrant a change in the dugout.
Under Slot, Liverpool went from unexpected Premier League champions in season one, to frustratingly dragging themselves over the line for Champions League qualification in season two.
With a challenge on the cards in handling expectations, and a style of play that ultimately failed to win over the Anfield faithful, the Liverpool hierarchy has made their move.
Some have been left torn over the call, with two diametrically opposite campaigns making it tough to judge just how good the manager really is.
But for Gerrard, there was no shock in the decision to sack Slot this summer.
Steven Gerrard Speaks Out On Arne Slot Sacking
steven gerrard
With news filtering through of Slot's dismissal at Liverpool, plenty of reaction has flooded in surrounding the decision, one that former midfielder Gerrard believes was the right one, even if it was tough to make.
Speaking to TNT Sports before the Champions League final, the 46-year-old said: "Not surprised. I'm gutted for Arne Slot, because in his first year, he's done an incredible job.
"I think taking the reins from the great Jurgen Klopp, that was a tough task and big shoes to fill, and I think he's done it seamlessly. It's very difficult to win the Premier League, I know that more than most, so for him to deliver that in year one, that can't be forgotten.
"So I think he'll go down in the history books and be remembered forever. Having said that, Laura [Woods], the last ten games of last season, and for the majority of this season, we haven't looked like Liverpool.
"The style, it's been difficult to watch at times. It looks disjointed, it looks broken, and when I got the news today, of course, your initial reaction is surprise and shock, but when you analyse it properly, it's probably the right time, in my opinion."
Slot has ultimately left Liverpool with a better reputation than when he joined, showing he can make the step-up and win, but couldn't do enough to win over the hearts of fans over the long-term.
So attention instead turns to who could replace the Dutchman, with a clear frontrunner appearing as the next one to step into the Anfield dugout.
Gerrard On Andoni Iraola To Liverpool
Andoni Iraola applauds Bournemouth supporters
Liverpool are linked with a move for Andoni Iraola as their next head coach, with the former Bournemouth manager viewed as the leading candidate to take the job.
It would be a potential return to the pressing style of play that became synonymous with Jurgen Klopp's side that were at the peak of their powers in the late 2010s and early 2020s.
With that in mind, Gerrard has praised the work done by the Spaniard in his time on the south coast, while believing he should be in the discussion to take the role.
He continued: "Well, look, I think we've all been around the game long enough to know how the process works, and I'd be very surprised if they made that decision and all of a sudden thought, 'Well, who are we going to appoint next?'
"Liverpool don't work like that. Liverpool are an organised machine, up top, they have been for a long time. I think it's the right time because at the end of the season, the new guy will get a pre-season, he'll get that chance to recruit new players.
"As a manager going in, it's the best time to go in, to reset everyone and get everyone moving forward in the new direction. But I'd be extremely surprised if the people above Arne Slot, who make the big decisions at Liverpool, have all of a sudden started from three or four hours ago looking for a new successor.
"I think he's done a fabulous job at Bournemouth. I think his style would suit Liverpool, but let's not beat around the bush.
"Liverpool Football Club is an attractive job for a lot of elite managers around the world, so I don't think he'll be the only name on the table.
"But because of the link to Bournemouth and the guys that have come from Bournemouth to Liverpool [sporting director Richard Hughes] in terms of board level, they will know him very well.
"But then, you know, there's other names out there as well that I'm sure would want that Liverpool job. It's a huge job in world football. But potentially, to answer your question, I think he should be in the conversation, yes."
It remains to be seen whether a deal will get done, but Liverpool look set to enter their new era in a matter of weeks.