Thierry Henry has offered his verdict on Arne Slot, who Liverpool fired suddenly at the end of last season, with Andoni Iraola coming in as his replacement at Anfield
09:37, 10 Jun 2026
Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry.
Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry.(Image: Francois Nel - UEFA via Getty Images)
Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry says he was surprised to learn that Arne Slot had been fired by Liverpool, with Andoni Iraola having since taken over from the Dutchman.
Slot was dismissed a week after the season finished, with Liverpool moving quickly to secure a successor. It was determined that Iraola was the better fit to implement a high-intensity style of play at Anfield moving forward.
But 12 months after winning the Premier League title, Henry feels it was harsh to let Slot go having secured a place in the Champions League ahead of next term via a fifth-place finish.
"I was actually expecting the last two seasons for Liverpool to happen in reverse," Henry told Betway.
"I think because he won the league straight away, the expectations went so high. But not a lot of teams retain the league, and not even Jurgen Klopp’s team did it.
"If you take Mikel Arteta for example, he didn’t get the sack — and rightly so — and he just won the league. Slot winning the league has to count for something. But I don’t know what was happening internally or what Liverpool want to do.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - MARCH 09: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, speaks to his players during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Galatasaray and at AXA Training Centre on March 09, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Liverpool players will be gearing up for life without Arne Slot(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
"Nevertheless, I was surprised and sad for him, because I like him first and foremost. I liked his honesty, how he never ducked a question and always tried to give insights tactically."
Slot penned an open letter to Liverpool fans in the ECHO a few days after his departure was confirmed.
"Of course, it is important to say thank you," Slot wrote. "To the players who wore the badge with pride while representing this club across the world.
"To the staff — not only those on the training ground — but those behind the scenes, whether maintaining the pitches at Anfield or working in the canteen at the training ground.
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"To the club hierarchy and ownership for your trust and direction. To the legends who supported me and impressed upon me the importance of The Liverpool Way.
"It has been a pleasure working with you all. Liverpool’s 20th league title belongs to all of us and it will remain an important chapter in its history. For that, we should all be proud."
Liverpool.com says: It was a tough decision (and a harsh one) for Slot to go. Iraola has never managed at this level before, so he is a gamble to a point. However, with fan opinion having largely turned against Slot, keeping him would have been a risk too.