Liverpool and Arne Slot part ways “with immediate effect” – a new main candidate is ready.
It has been speculated for a while and now, according to several sources, it is a fact, but not officially confirmed from Liverpool.
Despite leading Liverpool to Premier League triumph in his very first season, he received the brunt of the criticism in the 2025/26 season. Then the Reds finished fifth and were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals.
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Large parts of Liverpool’s own fan base have also criticized Slot’s style of play, and many have called for a return to the “heavy metal football” that characterized his predecessor, Jürgen Klopp.
Confirmed by Fabrizio Romano
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano writes on social media:
“ARNE SLOT AND LIVERPOOL PART WAYS WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.”
“It’s over between the Dutch manager and Liverpool after an evaluation of the season.”
Romano then claimed that former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is the main candidate to take over the vacancy – despite interest from Crystal Palace, AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen. Iraola led Bournemouth to a 6th place finish and Europa League qualification last season.
Slot thought he would stay
This comes just a few weeks after Slot himself said that he had “every reason to believe” that he would continue as Liverpool manager next season.
When pressed on the speculation about his own future, he replied:
“I don’t think I’m the only one who decides that.”
“I have every reason to believe that I will be Liverpool manager next season as well.”
“First of all, I have a contract with this club, and secondly, based on all the conversations we have.”
When asked if he had been involved in the planning for the 2026/27 season, he added:
“Plans have been made, and talks are going on between the club and new players – and I’m involved in that, if that’s what you want to know.”
The hope for many fans is a return for Jürgen Klopp, but what is much more likely is an agreement between Liverpool and Bournemouth success manager Andoni Iraola who only has a few days left in the job. – Now we know why he turned down AC Milan yesterday: Andoni Iraola turns down AC Milan – and sets his sights on the Premier League
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