Liverpool have parted ways with manager Arne Slot after two seasons in charge, calling the decision “difficult” but necessary.
Slot, who won the Premier League in his first season in charge last year, had a horror second season in charge of the Reds, with the club’s campaign turning from a title defence into a desperate scramble for Champions League qualification.
The great English club failed to win a domestic or European cup, marking a dramatic downturn for the defending champions.
Despite this Slot had been tipped to see out the final year of his contract.
However, amid growing unrest among the playing group and with fans, the board decided to sack the Dutch manager on Saturday night (AEST) “with immediate effect”.
“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,” a Liverpool statement read.
“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.
“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.”
Leading football reporter Fabrizio Romano reports that Andoni Iraola has been identified as the man to take the reins at Anfield, with the process to appoint him already underway.
Many Liverpool fans feel the decision to sack Slot should have come earlier on the back of poor performance after poor performance.
There was also more than a little disharmony in the dressing room, with Mohamed Salah speaking out against the manager on several occasions.
Salah told reporters in December his relationship with Slot had broken down.
While in a social media post following a defeat at Aston Villa earlier this month, Salah said he wanted to see a return to “heavy metal football”, a reference to the approach under former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool said the process to appoint a successor is underway, with media reports linking Andoni Iraola to the role after the Spaniard guided Bournemouth to sixth in the league as they qualified for the Europa League for the first time.
The Reds are now understood to be in talks to bring in Andoni Iraola, who is a free agent after leaving Premier League rivals AFC Bournemouth at the end of the season, following the club’s most successful league season in history, which saw them qualify for the Europa League.
— with AFP
