Liverpool dismiss Slot, Iraola the favorite to succeed him

It never looked right from the start of the season. From the very beginning, it was clear that the energy that had defined the previous campaign was missing. Arne Slot was given record-breaking financial backing and the opportunity to build the squad according to his own vision, but things simply never clicked. In the end, the club's hierarchy decided to dismiss the Dutchman, with Andoni Iraola emerging as the leading candidate to replace him.

Slot repeatedly insisted that he still had the board's support and believed he would remain at Anfield next season. He also argued that supporters underestimated how much a transfer window can change the way a team plays. At one point, there was reportedly a strong feeling within the club that Slot should be given time and at least four transfer windows to shape the squad to his liking. The Dutch coach was allegedly informed that he had made his share of mistakes this season, but that he still deserved patience. Compared to Jurgen Klopp, who needed five transfer windows before delivering his first trophy — the Champions League in 2019 — Slot had enjoyed a much faster start, winning the Premier League title in his debut campaign However, he failed badly this season despite the club spending 480 million euros on new signings.

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Many were intrigued by a social media post from Mohamed Salah that stirred considerable debate. The Egyptian wrote that Liverpool needed to return to the principles established under Klopp and once again become a team feared by opponents. What raised even more eyebrows was that nine first-team players "liked" the post, which some interpreted as a sign that the dressing room no longer backed Slot. His deteriorating relationship with Salah was one of the first indications that he was losing control of the squad. The player and manager frequently exchanged indirect jabs through the media, while Salah openly suggested that certain people within the club did not want him to stay. Slot occasionally left him on the bench, arguing that Liverpool needed a more defensive setup and that the Egyptian was not the right fit for that approach.

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Ultimately, Slot leaves behind a league title won in his first season, when he largely relied on the foundations built by Klopp rather than making sweeping changes. Last June he was given complete freedom to reshape the team, but this season Liverpool only narrowly secured Champions League qualification, while retaining the title was never a realistic possibility. Now attention turns to his successor. Andoni Iraola's name has moved to the top of the shortlist, although the Spaniard is one of the most sought-after managers in Europe after his outstanding work at Bournemouth. Sebastian Hoeness of Stuttgart has also been linked with the role. One thing is certain: whoever takes over will inherit a very demanding job.