Liverpool have sacked head coach Arne Slot after a disappointing defence of their Premier League title, with the UK press installing recently-departed Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola as the favourite to take over.
Fans turned on Slot after a number of poor performances – the team lost 19 times this season – and there was some disharmony in the dressing room with Mohamed Salah the most outspoken.
Sources insist the decision was taken with “enormous reluctance”, admitting it does not feel entirely fair to dispense with a coach who won only the club’s second league title in 30 years.
However, it is understood the decision has been taken based on what they believe is the best chance of moving forward and the club’s hierarchy feel the team needs to evolve again towards a more aggressive, front-foot, urgent style of football.
That reflects comments made by Salah in a social media post earlier this month when he called for a return to the “heavy metal football” played under predecessor Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool insist the desire for a change of style should not be viewed as a criticism of Slot, whose calibre as one of Europe’s leading coaches should not be doubted.
“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.”
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard said he was “not surprised” by the decision, saying that the Reds “have not looked like Liverpool” for the majority of the current season.
“Not surprised,” Gerrard said on TNT Sports, ahead of the Champions League final in which PSG beat Arsenal on penalties.
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“Still gutted for Arne Slot, because in his first year he had done an incredible job. Taking the reins from Jurgen Klopp, that was a tough task and big shoes to fill, and he had done it seamlessly.
“It’s very difficult to win the Premier League, and I know that more than most, so for him to deliver that in year one cannot be forgotten. So I do think he will go down in the history books and be remembered forever.
“Having said that, in the last ten games of last season and the majority of this season, we have not looked like Liverpool.
“The style, it has been difficult to watch at times. It looks disjointed, broken, and when I got the news, of course, your initial reaction is surprise and shock, but when you analyse it properly, it’s probably the right time in my opinion.”
💬 "I wasn't surprised… We haven't looked like Liverpool – it's been difficult to watch at times."
Steven Gerrard speaks on the Arne Slot sacking 👔
📺 TNT Sports & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/MVEp5VHxSj
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 30, 2026
🗣️ "I don't like he way he was treated by the fans… He never lost the dressing room."
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld reacts to Arne Slot leaving Liverpool as head coach. pic.twitter.com/vdxU8VyvGV — Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 30, 2026
Liverpool, who stumbled to fifth place to secure Champions League football after taking just two points from their last four matches, will now spend the next few days refining a shortlist of suitable candidates and while they want to make a swift appointment they are intent on finding the right coach to implement their preferred style.
The timing of the decision, while welcomed by a large proportion of the fanbase, will anger those supporters who were clamouring for former midfielder Xabi Alonso to return to Anfield only for him to join Chelsea less than a fortnight ago.
Bournemouth’s departing manager Andoni Iraola was already one of the bookmakers’ favourites even before Slot was sacked, while Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann and Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique are also high up on that list.
Andoni Iraola is the clear favourite for the vacant Liverpool head coach job after Arne Slot was dismissed.
The Spaniard is the leading contender for the role but Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness and Lens boss Pierre Sage are also options.
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🔗… pic.twitter.com/aZS4yFcY2A — The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) May 30, 2026