Liverpool parted ways with Arne Slot on Saturday after the Dutch manager, who won the Premier League title in his first season, failed to live up to expectations in a roller-coaster second campaign that ended with the club finishing fifth.
The former Feyenoord boss replaced Jürgen Klopp in 2024 and impressed in his first season as Liverpool won the Premier League title, powered by Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah’s 29 goals and 18 assists in the league.
However, his second season at Liverpool transformed from a title defence into a desperate scramble for Champions League qualification. The Reds also failed to win a domestic cup, marking a dramatic downturn for the defending champions.
Liverpool ended the season in fifth place with 60 points — their lowest tally since the 2015-16 campaign and 25 points behind champions Arsenal. The club said it had to make the “difficult decision” to part ways with the Dutchman.
“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,” Liverpool said in a statement.
“From the moment 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 that has been reached lightly — anything but.”
Liverpool said the process of appointing a successor is under way, with media reports linking Andoni Iraola to the role after the Spaniard guided Bournemouth to sixth place in the league and secured the club’s first-ever Europa League qualification.
Slot was heavily backed in the transfer market last year as Liverpool looked to build on their league title, spending a record £446 million ($600.27 million), including a British-record £125 million for Alexander Isak on deadline day.
However, Liverpool struggled at both ends of the pitch, while their once-feared intensity and pressing game — hallmarks of Slot’s debut-season triumph — visibly declined.
Isak’s injury problems made it difficult for the Swedish striker to settle, while Florian Wirtz, another expensive attacking recruit signed for £116 million, did not score his first goal until after Christmas. He finished the season with five league goals.
Slot’s relationship with the players also appeared to have deteriorated when Salah publicly questioned his team selection.
Salah accused the club of “throwing me under the bus”, claiming he had been scapegoated for the team’s poor start to the season.
The Egyptian forward left the club at the end of the campaign, but not before a parting shot in which he urged Liverpool to revive “heavy metal” football and rediscover the attacking identity made famous by Klopp.
The writing appeared to be on the wall towards the end of the season as Slot was routinely booed by frustrated Liverpool fans.
Slot and the squad also had to contend with the death of Portuguese forward Diogo Jota in a car crash in Spain last year.
“He also helped guide the club through one of the most difficult periods imaginable following the loss of Diogo. The compassion and humanity he showed throughout that time said a great deal about him as a person,” the club added.
“As such, 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.”
