Liverpool icon John Barnes has claimed Liverpool fans got Arne Slot the sack as they "didn't back him enough" during his final season at Anfield, despite winning the Premier League last year
11:22, 02 Jun 2026
Arne Slot, head coach of Liverpool, issues instructions during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park on May 15, 2026 in Birmingham, England.
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Arne Slot, was sacked on Saturday
Liverpool icon John Barnes has insisted it was Reds fans that got Arne Slot sacked and not the board at the Premier League giants.
Slot, 47, was dismissed by Liverpool on Saturday, after a disappointing fifth placed finish, 25 points behind champions Arsenal, off the back of their title-winning season under the Dutchman 12 months previously. However, Barnes has now claimed the Liverpool board had their hand forced by unhappy supporters.
Speaking to Historic Newspapers, Barnes said: "I support the hierarchy at the club and the decisions they make, but in my opinion, the owners didn’t sack Slot - the fans did. Hierarchies and owners don’t get rid of managers, fans do.
Former Liverpool player John Barnes looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on May 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England.
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John Barnes has claimed it was the Liverpool fans that got Arne Slot sacked(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
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"No matter how much time owners want to give a manager, they know they need the fans onside and if that doesn’t happen, it’s not going to work.
“That’s the disappointing thing for me - I don’t think the Liverpool fans backed Slot enough. Once the fans lose faith in you, the players absolve themselves for bad performances and put the blame on the manager.
“We saw it at Manchester United with Ruben Amorim last season when Micky van de Ven ran the length of the pitch unchallenged and assisted a goal for Tottenham, and the fans booed the manager. What’s the manager supposed to do about that?
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“The point I’m making is that the fans are the ones who sack the manager, not the owners. I don’t think the owners wanted to make the decision they have with Slot, but they acknowledged it went too far from a fan perspective.”
Liverpool are believed to be targeting a deal for ex-Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
According to The Athletic, Iraola was quickly identified as the clear frontrunner and talks are being led by sporting director Richard Hughes.
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The report adds Liverpool bosses want to see a more aggressive, urgent style of football.