Slot is on the lookout for a new job and it may have an impact, direct or otherwise, on Celtic's hunt for a new boss
18:21, 30 May 2026
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Arne Slot
Arne Slot's Liverpool exit is set to shake up the managerial merry-go-round – and Celtic fans are looking back at the huge compliment he paid them in 2023 with interest.
The Dutchman has officially left Anfield after two seasons, winning the Premier League in his debut campaign in 2023/24 before a disappointing regression saw them finish fifth last term.
It's not the end Liverpool fans had envisioned for Slot after he built on Jurgen Klopp's longstanding success to win the title two years ago but it now appears they're looking to Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola to replace him.
It's already been widely reported that Slot is in the running to take over at AC Milan. That's another development Celtic supporters will watch with interest – former Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is one of the fan favourites for the Parkhead job and he's also in the frame for the Milan gig.
Celtic are yet to make a call and Dermot Desmond is expected to hold talks with Martin O'Neill before commencing the search for the next boss fully.
Slot, barely a year on from winning the Premier League, is another box office name punters would jump at the chance to take to Parkhead. In 2023, they saw his Feyenoord team up close – losing to them 2-0 in the Netherlands at the beginning of a disappointing Champions League campaign that saw them bottom out of Group E.
The two sides, already eliminated from the tournament, then faced at Parkhead in the final game of the campaign, one Celtic won 2-1 thanks to goals from Luis Palma and Gustaf Lagerbielke.
And speaking before that match, Slot, who went on to take the Liverpool job six months later, spoke highly of Brendan Rodgers and his team.
Celtic came in off the back of damaging defeats to Atletico Madrid and Lazio (6-0 and 2-0 respectively) to end their hopes of progress.
But Slot said: “I think every top club always reacts after a loss. Celtic is a top club with very good players and they will react to that, especially if the stadium is full which is what I’m expecting.
“I think, yes, I did some things from the game they played last Sunday (against Kilmarnock). But it’s more interesting for me to see how they played here against Atletico and Lazio.
“That was impressive for me. They didn’t get what they deserved.”
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Robbie Keane, Craig Bellamy and even Roberto Martinez are among the other managers who have been frequently linked with the Parkhead vacancy if indeed O'Neill steps back this summer.