Liverpool have been criticised for their handling of the sacking of former head coach Arne Slot this summer
Former Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
Former Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: 2026 James Gill - Danehouse)
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Former Liverpool captain Paul Ince has blasted his old club over their handling of sacked head coach Arne Slot.
Slot was axed in May after a disappointing defence of the Premier League title won in emphatic fashion during his first season in charge having taken on the difficult task of replacing Anfield legend Jurgen Klopp in the dugout.
The Dutchman had been expecting to stay on and was planning for the new campaign before being dumped by Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group in the wake of criticism from some sections of the Reds fanbase.
And Ince believes the availability of Andoni Iraola after the Spaniard left Bournemouth at the end of last season prompted the Anfield hierarchy to swiftly remove Slot.
"I do feel for Slot," he said. "I thought the way the board handled it was poor. I didn't like it; it's not the Liverpool way.
"Obviously, people were clamouring for him to get sacked before the end of the season. But once the season finished, you kind of think as a manager 'right, I'm still here, let's start looking forward and building for next year'. Then the next minute, he's gone.
"Richard Hughes worked with Iraola at Bournemouth, so there was an immediate connection there, and then they sacked Slot. I just don't think that was the right way to treat a manager."
Ince admits Liverpool have major problems that need to be addressed under Iraola and expects them to be busy during the ongoing transfer window.
"When you manage Liverpool, the fans always have an expectation, just like when you’re at Manchester United," he said, speaking to BestBettingSites. "I looked at Liverpool last season and I just thought it wasn’t right. There were a lot of issues there.
"The Mohamed Salah stuff with Arne Slot wasn’t great for the club. It’s very rare that you see that kind of friction come out publicly from Liverpool Football Club; you usually see that stuff come out of other clubs.
"Also, you very rarely hear Liverpool fans boo. Never - that’s not the Liverpool way. When the fans start doing that, you kind of think 'right, something is not right here, there’s a deep issue'.
"There is a massive revamp to do at Liverpool. A big revamp. I’m interested to see how they do. I certainly don’t expect them to win the title this year, that’s for sure, but it will be interesting to see what acquisitions Iraola brings in to make them better, because they need a much better season."
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