Liverpool sack Arne Slot after two seasons, citing need for fresh direction

Liverpool have dismissed head coach Arne Slot with immediate effect, the club announced on Saturday, confirming that a search for his successor is already under way. Slot departs having spent two seasons at Anfield after joining in June 2024.

In a brief response quoted by transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Slot said: “It’s been an amazing ride together with Liverpool, I am so grateful that we were able to win the league last season.”

Liverpool’s official statement outlined the scale of Slot’s achievements before explaining the rationale for the decision. In his first season, the Dutchman delivered the club’s 20th league title and was named LMA Manager of the Year, while also guiding the side to the Carabao Cup final and the last 16 of the Champions League. In 2025-26, he secured a second consecutive Champions League qualification and led the team to the quarter-finals of the competition.

Despite that record, the club’s ownership concluded that a change was necessary. “We have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward,” the statement read. “Again, it must be stressed that this is not a decision which has been reached lightly, anything but.”

The ownership group paid tribute to Slot’s character as well as his results, noting that he “does not merely accept responsibility, he embraces it.” They also acknowledged the personal difficulties of the 2025-26 campaign, referencing the death of Diogo Jota and praising the “compassion and humanity” Slot showed during that period.

“Our appreciation for everything he has achieved could not be greater,” the statement continued, “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.”

Liverpool confirmed the process to appoint a new head coach is now under way, though no candidates have been publicly identified.