05/30/26 07:30:00
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05/30 07:28 CDT Arne Slot fired as Liverpool manager a year after winning
Premier League title
Arne Slot fired as Liverpool manager a year after winning Premier League title
By STEVE DOUGLAS and JAMES ROBSON
AP Sports Writers
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) --- Liverpool fired manager Arne Slot on Saturday
following a troubled second season in charge having previously led the team to
the Premier League title.
Fenway Sports Group, the club's American ownership, said it made a "difficult"
decision after Liverpool finished fifth in a disappointing title defense.
"We have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order
for the club to keep moving forward," the ownership said in a statement.
"Again, it must be stressed that this is not a decision which has been reached
lightly, anything but."
Slot replaced popular long-time manager Jurgen Klopp in the summer of 2024 and
the Dutchman led Liverpool to a record-tying 20th English league title in his
first year at the helm.
Liverpool spent an unprecedented $570 million to strength the squad in last
year's offseason but most of the expensive signings, including Florian Wirtz,
Jeremie Frimpong and injury-hit striker Alexander Isak, have underwhelmed.
The club also was affected by the death of Portugal forward Diogo Jota last
summer.
A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that the
decision did "not sit easily" with Liverpool and "on a human level" did not
"feel entirely fair."
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the club had already issued
a public statement.
The person said it was increasingly inevitable that a change of coach was
required and it was better to act sooner to avoid disrupting preparations for
next season.
The process to assess Slot's replacement has begun with Liverpool seeking a
more "aggressive and urgent" style of soccer going forward. Andoni Iraola, the
Spanish coach who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, is the
frontrunner to come in.
"That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without
saying," the club statement said. "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.
"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."
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