**Arne Slot was sacked after the disappointing conclusion to the 2025-26 Premier League season, and Michael Owen has provided his opinion of how things transpired.**
Slot blew fans away with a Premier League title win in his maiden season on Merseyside, but things fell apart in his second. It’s not as simple as that, however, as the Dutchman had to go from manager to consoler of hearts after the tragic death of the beloved Diogo Jota.
The season began with a group of Premier League champions knowing that all bets were off with regards to expectations of how the season would pan out.
Many reporters and voices close to the club have made it known that Slot did a terrific job of providing a safe place for his players and staff to grieve and mourn in however they could.
Football is a relentless and unforgiving space at times, with stakeholders and fans demanding more than is possible. Slot was ultimately the one to pay the price for a season that was really beyond the means of a single person.
It’s a heartbreaking end to his time at Liverpool, and regardless of how things ended, history will be kind to Arne.
Michael Owen explains his understanding of FSG decision to sack Arne Slot
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_“Towards the end of the season you could feel the fans’ unrest, and I was initially believing that Liverpool would give Slot more time and he would be in charge next season,”_ Owen told the Liverpool ECHO.
_“But once the season was ending, if you asked fans at the matches, there was a real feeling that they didn’t believe Slot was the right man to take the club football forward and I believe the board could also feel this which I think helped them make the decision that a change was necessary._
_“I thought Slot did excellent in his first season. Winning the Premier League is no mean feat and also with not much movement in the transfer window as well, so mostly inheriting Jurgen Klopp’s squad._
_“But with a big transfer window over last summer, really strengthening the striker positions, for some reason, I know there was plenty of injuries, but it just didn’t progress the way anyone wanted.”_
Andoni Iraola seems like the perfect culture fit for a fanbase crying out for more than just football
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Liverpool is a very unique football club. Most supporters feel this way about their club, but good football being on show is not the only requirement to please the Anfield faithful.
After the Brendan Rodgers era, fans were crying out for an accountable and passionate leader. Jurgen Klopp was brought in and was an almost messianic figure on Merseyside. He not only demanded change, but promised that his way would deliver that change if fans simply believed in him.
Iraola is a similar figure. He might not have the European pedigree that Klopp arrived at Liverpool with, having been to a Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund, but he’s humble, passionate, accountable and believes in hard work over talent alone.
The future is exciting for Liverpool, but the players and fans will need to buy into his philosophy.