Arne Slot was fired by Liverpool on Saturday following an end-of-season review and a number of players reached out to the Dutchman in the hours after the decision
10:57, 01 Jun 2026
Virgil van Dijk and Arne Slot
Virgil van Dijk was among the players to post about Arne Slot on Instagram(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)
Several Liverpool players are reported to have directly reached out to Arne Slot following his dismissal by Liverpool on Saturday.
Slot was fired less than a week on from Liverpool securing Champions League qualification on the final weekend of the Premier League season. It was consistently reported during the season's run-in that a top-five finish would be enough for Slot to keep his job going into next term, but an end-of-season review led to Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards taking the decision to relieve Slot of his duties.
Some Liverpool fans noted how few Reds players shared tributes on social media following the news of Slot's departure — many seemed to view the lack of online tributes as a sign that the players were happy to have seen the back of Slot.
However, The Athletic reports that a number of Liverpool fans reached out privately to send their best wishes to the Dutchman following the news of his departure. Liverpool's players were not consulted on the decision to remove Slot and the call to fire him was largely data-led.
Slot is said to have been shocked at the decision, which was communicated to him just 90 minutes prior to Liverpool officially confirming the news at around 12.30pm BST on Saturday.
Liverpool fired Slot because the club feels as though a shift in the club's style of play is needed in order to bounce back from a disappointing season.
The Reds also feel as though the landscape of the Premier League has changed in recent years, leading to a different set of skills being required.
Andoni Iraola
Andoni Iraola is in line to replace Arne Slot(Image: Getty Images)
Many Liverpool fans were left frustrated by the team's performances this term and a perceived passive approach, and the club intends to hire a replacement who implements a more aggressive and front-foot style.
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That replacement looks likely to be Andoni Iraola, who left Bournemouth when his contract expired at the end of the season.
Liverpool is expected to begin formal talks with Iraola today (Monday) and hopes to have finalized the appointment before the World Cup begins next week.
Iraola spent three years at Bournemouth and only narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification this season, which is a remarkable feat considering the club's relatively meager financial power, and also considering that Iraola had to contend with a host of important players being sold throughout his time there.