Liverpool have confirmed the sacking of head coach Arne Slot.
Slot took over as Reds boss in 2024, succeeding legendary manager Jurgen Klopp at Anfield and winning the Premier League in his debut campaign.
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But his time at the club is over after just two seasons, with eSPORTY understanding that ex-Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is the standout candidate to replace Slot.
Talks are advancing with Iraola, who guided the Cherries to Europa League qualification this term, with the Spaniard already informing Liverpool of his desire to join them.
Along with Iraola, Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness and Lens manager Pierre Sage have also been considered after guiding their respective clubs into the Champions League.
But it is Iraola who, had been in advanced negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen, that is the clear frontrunner to land the vacant job.
Despite Slot’s stunning first season in charge, he struggled in his second campaign, with Liverpool only securing Champions League football on the final day of the season last weekend.
Liverpool had been tipped to retain the top-flight title by bringing in Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz from Newcastle, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen, respectively, for vast sums.
Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giovanni Leoni also made the move to England last summer in what was a record-breaking £446million splurge.
However, Liverpool ended up finishing in fifth spot in the table – 25 points behind champions Arsenal.
A club statement on Slot’s sacking read: “That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying.
“The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and – most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves – successful.
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“As such, our appreciation for everything he has achieved could not be greater, particularly as it was underpinned by a work ethic, a diligence and a level of expertise which further underlined our view that he is a leader in his field.
“From the moment that we first encountered Arne, it was immediately clear that he is an individual who does not merely accept responsibility, he embraces it.
“This was evident when he agreed to take over as head coach, when he guided us to the Premier League title and throughout the season just ended when he faced considerable challenges and burdens.
“At the same time, we have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward.
“Again, it must be stressed that this is not a decision which has been reached lightly, anything but.
“We would like to take this opportunity to place on record our appreciation for Arne, who will always hold a special place in the history of this football club as the coach who delivered Liverpool’s 20th league title.
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“That accomplishment – made all the more remarkable as it arrived in his very first season in charge – was built on outstanding coaching and leadership every single day.”
Liverpool concluded their statement by saying: “We can only wish Arne well in the next stage of his coaching career, with our expectation being that he will continue to be successful.
“We do so in the knowledge that his Liverpool legacy is intact and will become yet more meaningful in the years and decades to come.
“Nevertheless, the conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team’s trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction.
“That does not diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him. Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it is indicative of the need for a different approach.
“Arne leaves with our gratitude, with a Premier League title to his name, and with the knowledge that he and his family will always be welcomed back at Anfield.”
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While Liverpool were guilty of poor results and performances this term, Slot’s high-profile issues with Mohamed Salah didn’t help his cause.
After starting the 3-3 draw with Leeds on the bench back in December, Salah stated he’d been ‘thrown under the bus’ by the club.
And earlier this month he issued a written statement on social media appearing to take aim at Slot, insisting the club should return to their ‘heavy metal tactics’ a reference to former boss Klopp’s style of play.
A number of his Liverpool teammates also interacted with the post.
The Egyptian will leave the club this summer, bringing an end to a nine-year spell on Merseyside, while left-back Andy Robertson will also depart Liverpool once his contract comes to an end at the end of the season.
And Ibrahima Konate is another player that will be heading out the door as a free agent.
