Liverpool sacked head coach Arne Slot on May 27, ending his two-season stint following a Premier League title win in his first year and a disappointing fifth-place finish in his second [1, 2, 3]. The 47-year-old Slot secured Liverpool’s 20th league title during the 2024-25 season but oversaw a trophyless 2025-26 campaign marked by internal issues, including a strained relationship with star player Mohamed Salah [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].
Liverpool finished the 2025-26 Premier League season with 60 points, their lowest total since 2015-16, and 25 points behind champions Arsenal, but still qualified for next season’s Champions League [7]. Despite a record £415 million spent on transfers last summer, the investment failed to halt the team’s decline in results and performances [8, 7].
Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, said the decision to dismiss Slot was difficult but necessary. They praised his contributions as "significant, meaningful and – most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves – successful" [1]. Slot himself expressed pride in winning the league and maintaining Liverpool’s status among Europe’s elite. He highlighted securing Champions League football as an important responsibility for the club’s future [4, 5].
Liverpool have since opened formal talks with Andoni Iraola, the former Bournemouth manager, regarded as the leading candidate to replace Slot [1, 2, 7, 9, 6]. The 43-year-old Iraola led Bournemouth to their highest-ever Premier League finish, sixth place, securing Europa League qualification [7, 10, 6]. Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes, familiar with Iraola from Bournemouth, is leading recruitment efforts [7, 10, 9, 6].
Reports between June 2 and 4 indicate Liverpool have reached a verbal two-year agreement with Iraola for the head coach role [6, 11]. Known for a high pressing, fast, and aggressive style, Iraola’s approach contrasts with Slot’s more cautious tactics [8, 10, 11]. Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said, "I think [Iraola's] style would suit Liverpool" [10]. Analyst Danny Murphy added he is "quite excited" about Iraola’s courageous, front-foot attacking philosophy [11].
Liverpool fans and pundits have mixed reactions, with some hopeful Iraola will restore exciting football, while others question his lack of experience at a big club level [7, 6, 11].
