Liverpool sack Arne Slot

By Carl Markham, Press Association

Liverpool have sacked head coach Arne Slot after a disappointing defence of their Premier League title.

Fans turned on the Dutchman after a number of poor performances – the team lost 19 times this season – and there was some disharmony in the dressing room with Mohamed Salah the most outspoken.

Sources insist the decision was taken with “enormous reluctance”, admitting it does not feel entirely fair to dispense with a coach who won only the club’s second league title in 30 years.

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However, it is understood the decision has been taken based on what they believe is the best chance of moving forward, and the club’s hierarchy feel the team needs to evolve again towards a more aggressive, front-foot, urgent style of football.

That reflects comments made by Salah in a social media post earlier this month when he called for a return to the “heavy metal football” played under predecessor Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool insist the desire for a change of style should not be viewed as a criticism of Slot, whose calibre as one of Europe’s leading coaches should not be doubted.

“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 under way,” said a statement.

“He leaves with a Premier League title to his name and our deepest gratitude and appreciation.”

Part of Liverpool’s rationale for making the change is that the Premier League has changed and they need to find a different solution to the challenges now being posed and delaying a decision would impact on next season’s preparations.

Liverpool, who stumbled to fifth place to secure Champions League football after taking just two points from their last four matches, will now spend the next few days refining a shortlist of suitable candidates and while they want to make a swift appointment they are intent on finding the right coach to implement their preferred style.

The timing of the decision, while welcomed by a large proportion of the fanbase, will anger those supporters who were clamouring for former midfielder Xabi Alonso to return to Anfield only for him to join Chelsea less than a fortnight ago.

However, the club’s interest in the Spaniard appeared to have cooled after initially considering him as Klopp’s successor, only to be told he wanted to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, from where he joined another former club, Real Madrid, a year later.

Bournemouth’s departing manager Andoni Iraola was already one of the bookmakers’ favourites even before Slot was sacked, while Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann and Paris St Germain manager Luis Enrique are also high up on that list.

In a statement, owners Fenway Sports Group said: “That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying.

“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 (Jota, who died in a car crash last summer).

“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.”