Slot Out, Iraola In at Anfield

Liverpool sacked Arne Slot on 30 May, 2026, just one year after the Dutchman delivered the club’s 20th English league title. His second season at Anfield was a dramatic collapse. The Reds finished fifth, a staggering 25 points behind champions Arsenal, suffered 19 defeats across all competitions, and recorded their lowest Premier League points tally since 2015/16.

The end-of-season review led by sporting director Richard Hughes and CEO Michael Edwards concluded that a change was necessary. According to The Athletic’s James Pearce, the pair “came to the conclusion that a change was required given the mood both within the dressing room and the fanbase.” 

The decision was compounded by a toxic atmosphere around the squad, most visibly from departing legend Mohamed Salah, who in a widely shared social media post demanded Liverpool return to being “the heavy metal attacking team that opponents fear.”

Salah’s public criticism was widely seen as a pointed rebuke of Slot’s cautious, possession-based style. The Egyptian, who scored 257 goals for the club across nine years, departed as a free agent at season’s end.

Andoni Iraola, 43, the outgoing Bournemouth manager, is now set to take charge at Anfield. Fabrizio Romano confirmed the appointment is decided, writing: “Iraola will be the next manager.” Liverpool want him in place before the World Cup kicks off on June 11.

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