Arne Slott: Liverpool head coach sacked a year after winning the Premier League title and finishing fifth this season football news

Arne Slott has been sacked as Liverpool head coach.

The Dutchman left just a year after leading the Reds to their 20th league title, following a disappointing fifth-place finish in his second season in charge.

Recently departed Bournemouth head coach Antony Irola is leading the race to replace him. Sky Sports News understand

A Liverpool statement announcing Slott’s departure read: “It was a difficult decision for us to make as a club.

“The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC during his time with us has been significant, meaningful and – most importantly for the supporters and ourselves – successful.

“As such, our appreciation for everything he has achieved could not be greater, especially as it was underpinned by a work ethic, a level of diligence and skill that further underlines our view that he is a leader in his field.

“At the same time, we have collectively come to the conclusion that changes are necessary for the club to move forward. Again, it should be emphasized that this is not a decision that has been reached lightly, but not anything.

“We would like to take this opportunity to record our gratitude to Arn, who will always hold a special place in the history of this football club as the coach who led Liverpool to their 20th league title.”

Liverpool did not intend to part with Slott during the season but concluded that a change of leadership was necessary after reassessing the situation at the end of the campaign.

Liverpool’s fifth place finish was enough to secure Champions League qualification but with just 60 points, they finished the campaign with their lowest score since 2015/16.

Formal talks are going on with Iraola

Liverpool are now expected to open formal talks with Iraola over the vacant head coach position.

The Spanish side are in talks with Bayer Leverkusen after appearing to cool talks with AC Milan earlier this week.

However, in this discussion, Italian skies reported that Iraola was still open to the Liverpool job despite no vacancy at Anfield.

Now, however, Irola has a strong relationship with Liverpool director Richard Hughes after their time together at Bournemouth.

Hughes convinced Bournemouth to sign Iraola from Rayo Vallecano in 2023. He has since done a remarkable job, leading Bournemouth to sixth place in the Europa League.

Iraola also has Crystal Palace as an option but they always expected him to join a bigger club – even after they won the Conference League.

Liverpool’s statement in full

“It goes without saying that this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club. The contribution Arne made to Liverpool FC during his time with us was significant, meaningful and – most importantly for the supporters and ourselves – successful.

“As such, our appreciation for everything he has achieved could not be greater, especially as it was underpinned by a work ethic, a level of diligence and skill that further underlines our view that he is a leader in his field.

“From the moment we first met Ern, it was immediately clear that he is a man who doesn’t just accept responsibility, he embraces it. It was evident when he agreed to take over as head coach, when he took us to the Premier League title and culminated when he faced considerable challenges and burdens throughout the season.

“At the same time, we have collectively come to the conclusion that changes are necessary for the club to move forward. Again, it should be emphasized that this is not a decision that has been reached lightly, but not anything.

“We would like to take this opportunity to record our gratitude to Arn, who will always hold a special place in the history of this football club as the coach who led Liverpool to their 20th league title.

“That achievement – ​​made all the more remarkable coming into his first season in charge – was built on outstanding coaching and leadership every day.

“He also helped guide the club through one of the most difficult times imaginable after losing Diogo. The compassion and humanity he showed throughout that period spoke volumes about him as a person.

“As such, we can only wish Arne well in the next phase of his coaching career, hoping that he will continue to succeed. We do so in the knowledge that his Liverpool legacy remains intact and will only become more meaningful in the years and decades to come.

“Still, the conclusion we’ve come to is built on the belief that the team’s trajectory is best addressed by a change in direction. That doesn’t diminish the work Arne has done here, or our respect for him. Nor is it a reflection of his talent. Rather, it indicates the need for a different approach.

“Arne with our gratitude, a Premier League title to his name and the knowledge that he and his family will always be welcome at Anfield.”

Analysis: Iraola’s style will appeal to fans

Sky Sports News’ Vinny O’Connor on interest Andoni Iraola:

“It seems to be a decision made for football reasons, given the style of play.

“We heard from Mohamed Salah not so long ago in a social media post that he expressed. Well, it seems that this is a feeling within Liverpool, that this is a style of play.

“The belief is that the head coach needs a different profile to express what Liverpool fans appreciate more about their style of play, the kind of football we’ve seen under Jurgen Klopp.

“There are all kinds of tie-ins with Richard Hughes at Liverpool.

“We broke the news the other day that Iraola wants to hold out for the Liverpool job. He has already been linked with numerous jobs since announcing his departure from Bournemouth.

“It’s a name that Liverpool fans have mentioned. I would argue that it’s a big jump from Bournemouth manager to Liverpool, certainly bigger than Feyenoord to Liverpool, but at the same time, the style of play is something that Liverpool fans will definitely relate to.

“I think everyone has been impressed with what he has done at Bournemouth and the style of play he has been able to implement there.

“In terms of that and emotionally, I think he’ll get the Liverpool fans, the Liverpool fans will get him.

“I think it’s pretty easy to put him at the top of the list at the moment but I’d imagine Liverpool are going through a pretty thorough process at the same time.”