The long-anticipated news arrived this morning that Arne Slot has been sacked by Liverpool after a difficult second season in charge at the club.
Having led Liverpool to their 20th league title in his first year in charge, Slot's second campaign was defined by poor performances and spats with players, to the point that his departure felt inevitable by the season's end.
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Liverpool confirmed his departure in a statement on Saturday morning, thanking Slot not only for his efforts in charge, but his "humanity" and "compassion" in helping the team after the tragic death of Diogo Jota.
The search now begins for Slot's successor, and there is a clear frontrunner per all reports.
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Steven Gerrard tips Iraola for Liverpool job
Steven Gerrard was on punditry duty for TNT Sports at the Champions League final later on Saturday.
Given the events earlier in the day, it was only natural that the Liverpool great was asked about Slot's sacking, and he said that cogs would already be turning at Anfield to find his replacement.
I'd be very surprised if they made that decision and all of a sudden thought, well, who are we gonna appoint next? Liverpool don't work like that. Liverpool are an organised machine up top, they have been for a long time.
I think it's the right time because at the end of the season, the new guy will get a pre-season, he will get that chance to recruit new players. As a manager going in, it's the best time to go in, to reset everyone and get everyone moving forward in the new direction
I'd be extremely surprised if the people above Arne Slot who make the big decisions at Liverpool have all of a sudden started from 24 hours ago looking for a new successor.
The name being tipped to take over in all quarters is the recently departed Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola.
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Iraola's high-intensity style of football would appear to suit this Liverpool squad, and he is on the verge of being appointed per many reports in the UK.
Gerrard is not 100% convinced, but does believe that Iraola's connections to Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes could prove decisive.
I think potentially, yes, I think he's done a fabulous job at Bournemouth. I think his style would suit Liverpool.
Let's not beat around the bush, Liverpool Football Club is an attractive job for a lot of elite managers around the world, so I don't think he'll be the only name on the table.
But, because of the link to Bournemouth and the guys that have come from Bournemouth to Liverpool in terms of board level, they will know him very well.
There's other names out there as well that I'm sure would want that Liverpool job. It's a huge job in world football. To answer your question, I think he should be in the conversation, yes.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes was the man who hired Andoni Iraola to the Bournemouth job, in his previous role as Technical Director at the south coast club.
It looks likely he will repeat the trick at Liverpool, with fans of the club hoping Iraola will be able to bring them back to challenging for the Premier League and Champions League next season.
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26 February 2026; Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson watches on during a Republic of Ireland women training session at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile