June 1 – Arne Slot has insisted he leaves Liverpool “exactly where it belongs” after being dismissed by the club despite delivering a Premier League title during his two-year spell at Anfield.
The Dutchman was relieved of his duties on Saturday after Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League, 25 points behind champions Arsenal, ending a season in which patience among supporters had visibly eroded as the club’s football became increasingly cautious and uninspiring.
Liverpool are now expected to move quickly for Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, with formal talks anticipated this week – a return to the heavy-metal style of football that Liverpool fans came to adore under Jurgen Klopp.
The Merseyside club had long coveted but have now missed out on long-term target Xabi Alonso, who has already been unveiled as Chelsea manager on a four-year contract.
In an emotional farewell letter to supporters, Slot defended his record and expressed confidence in the club’s future.
“I leave with complete confidence in what lies ahead,” he wrote.
“The players who have given so much to this club, who have upheld its values and helped create so many unforgettable moments, have built foundations that will endure.”
While Liverpool endured a disappointing campaign domestically, Slot pointed to securing Champions League qualification as a key achievement.
“Securing Champions League football was an important responsibility and one that ensures Liverpool can continue competing at the highest level next season and beyond.
“Change is part of football, but I know that this club will continue to make its people proud.
“When I first stood beneath that sign in the Anfield tunnel, I knew what this club demanded. I leave knowing we never stopped striving for it.”
Slot arrived in 2024 as the successor to Jürgen Klopp and immediately etched his name into Liverpool history by delivering the club’s 20th league title in his debut season.
Reflecting on those celebrations, he reserved special praise for the supporters.
“It was made even more meaningful because you got to enjoy it with us. Singing our songs, cheering the goals. And on the day we lifted the trophy, you were there – lining the streets outside the stadium, filling Anfield in anticipation.”
The 47-year-old acknowledged how important it had been for supporters to experience those celebrations together after the restrictions that accompanied Liverpool’s previous title success in 2020.
“Having had much of that taken from you in 2020, it was never lost on me how much it mattered that you were part of it all.
“Seeing you come together in your hundreds of thousands on the streets of Liverpool for the title celebrations only reinforced that idea.
“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.”
Yet despite that success, the relationship between Slot and sections of the fanbase deteriorated over the past year as results declined and performances failed to match expectations, ultimately convincing Liverpool’s hierarchy that a change was required.
The departing manager also reflected on two tragic events that united the club during his tenure.
Paying tribute to former Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who died alongside his brother André Silva in a car accident last summer, Slot described the loss as “indescribable”.
“As I leave this club, it would be remiss of me not to say that the way you honoured Diogo and stood together in his memory will stay with me forever.
“The connection we share goes beyond football, beyond European nights under the Anfield lights or the sound of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ being sung from The Kop.”
Slot also praised the resilience shown by the city following the shocking scenes during Liverpool’s title parade in May 2025, when a vehicle was driven into crowds gathered on Water Street.
“I was privileged to witness first-hand your spirit of compassion and unity,” he wrote. “It is a spirit that has carried this city through difficult moments before, and one that I hope will help bring the justice and accountability so many have campaigned for over many years.”
Despite the abrupt nature of his departure, Slot’s final message was one of gratitude rather than bitterness.
“When I first stood beneath that sign in the Anfield tunnel, I knew what this club demanded,” he wrote. “I leave knowing we never stopped striving for it.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected]