Liverpool has made the decision to part ways with Arne Slot and is targeting Andoni Iraola as his successor. Slot had been anticipated to remain as Reds manager, despite overseeing a disappointing second season, but the Dutchman is now being shown the door.
Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League and failed to claim any silverware, marking a significant fall from grace following their title triumph in Slot’s debut campaign. Slot still had 12 months remaining on his contract and it had previously seemed as though he would stay on as manager.
However, owners Fenway Sports Group have opted to sever ties with their head coach following a post-season review. Iraola is their primary target to succeed Slot after departing Bournemouth, having steered them to a sixth-place finish.
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The club stated: “Liverpool FC can confirm Arne Slot is to depart his role as head coach with immediate effect and that the process to appoint a successor is underway.”
Iraola is attracting considerable interest after guiding Bournemouth into the Europa League by concluding the season with an 18-game unbeaten run. Crystal Palace is pursuing the 43-year-old Spaniard to succeed the departing Oliver Glasner, while Bayer Leverkusen has also entered into advanced negotiations with him.
Palace is believed to have set Iraola a deadline of this weekend’s conclusion to reach a decision. Iraola is thought to favor remaining in the Premier League following three campaigns with the Cherries, and Liverpool would offer an attractive proposition, with the Reds guaranteed Champions League football next season, despite their recent struggles.
Liverpool accumulated just 60 points in the Premier League this season, a staggering 24 fewer than Slot collected in his inaugural campaign after being brought in to succeed Jurgen Klopp. They suffered 19 defeats across all competitions in 2025/26 – a figure which has compelled FSG to act.
The statement added: “Having joined the club in June 2024, Arne went on to deliver our 20th league title in his first season in charge, ending the 2024-25 campaign as LMA Manager of the Year, having also guided the team to the Carabao Cup final and the last 16 of the Champions League.
“He subsequently oversaw Champions League qualification for a second successive season in 2025-26 as the Reds also reached the quarter-finals of the same competition.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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. 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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