Liverpool announced Arne Slot’s departure as coach last weekend. The Dutchman leaves Anfield after two seasons marked by contrasts. Ele took the title from Premier League upon arrival in 2024-25. However, performance fell sharply in 2025-26.
Fontes close to the club indicate that Andoni Iraola, aged 43, is the main name to take over the position. The Spaniard left Bournemouth at the end of last season after leading the team to sixth place and the first European participation in the club’s history.
The board, led by Richard Hughes and the Fenway Sports Group group, assessed that the change was necessary to prepare the next season with new momentum.
Saída from Slot was decided after internal evaluation
Richard Hughes personally communicated the decision to Slot on Saturday morning. Menos two hours later, the club published the official announcement. Apesar of the board’s initial support, the results of the 2025-26 season weighed in the balance.
The team ended the campaign with an irregular performance. Garantiu only vacated Champions League in the last round, adding just two points in the final four games. Essa instability marked Slot’s second year in charge.
Vários factors contributed to the outcome. Lesões seriously compromised the reinforced squad the previous summer. The team spent around £446 million on signings, but the new players faced recurring fitness problems.
- Alexander Isak, signed for £125m from Newcastle, suffered fractured fibula in December
- Hugo Ekitike ruptured Aquiles’s hamstring in April
- Florian Wirtz also had difficult adaptation
- Giovanni Leoni injured his anterior cruciate ligament on debut
- Jeremie Frimpong recorded five muscle injuries throughout the season
Essas absences limited the time for interaction between the main attackers. Isak, Wirtz and Ekitike played together for just 119 minutes all season.
Desempenho irregular marked the second season
The decline began to take shape in March 2025. Liverpool lost the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle 2-1 at Wembley. Dias had previously been eliminated from Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.
Slot publicly acknowledged the difficulties against teams that played long balls and set pieces. Ele was frank in the press conferences, but this generated criticism. The fans expected more consistency.
In April, the team experienced its greatest moment by winning the Premier League title against Tottenham. Foi the first title with fans in 35 years. Naquele instantly, Slot seemed consolidated.
The following summer brought great investment. The board invested heavily in building a stronger squad. Porém, injuries, and the departures of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid and Luis Díaz to Bayern Munique have created major gaps.
The tragedy involving Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident along with his brother André Silva in July 2025, shook the group. The club brought in counselors to support the players. Andy Robertson admitted that, for a while, “football didn’t matter.”
Mesmo with the respect earned for the way he dealt with grief, the results on the field did not improve enough.
Crise went deeper with humiliating defeat
In November 2025, Liverpool lost 4-1 to PSV Eindhoven. The result came amid a run of nine defeats in 12 games. The fans booed the team at the end of the match.
Fontes insiders reported that that game was a breaking point for part of the board. Slot got a fight back with 13 undefeated games in a row. However, many draws against mid-table teams diminished the positive impact.
Mohamed Salah had open conflict with the coach. Foi pulled from three straight games in November and December. In an interview after the match against Leeds, the Egyptian accused the club of putting him “under the bus”. Ele left Liverpool at the end of the season.
Salah also published a message asking for a return to “heavy metal football”, which was liked by several teammates. The episode reinforced the perception that Slot had lost part of the locker room.
The board concluded that the Dutchman had difficulty reacting in moments of adversity. Ele was effective when conditions were favorable, but faced problems against opponents who imposed physical duels and aerial games.
Iraola stands out for its work on Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola took over Bournemouth in 2023 and completely changed the team’s profile. From being a candidate for relegation, the club started to fight for European places. Last season, sixth place guaranteed the first continental campaign.
Seu’s style of high pressing, quick transitions and constant intensity is reminiscent of the gegenpressing advocated by Jürgen Klopp. Iraola himself has already declared his admiration for German coaches and the model of complete players.
Richard Hughes, who signed him at Bournemouth, facilitated the negotiations. Fontes indicate that the deal is well underway. Iraola must sign for at least two seasons.
The Spaniard participated in a webinar in 2020, when he was still training Mirandés. On that occasion, he spoke about the complexity of football: “Everything is gray. Não we can control everything.”
Esse pragmatism and the ability to develop players are seen as important qualities for the challenge in Anfield.
Milos Kerkez, a winger who played with Iraola in Bournemouth before moving to Liverpool, praised the coach. Segundo he, Iraola demands total focus and helps athletes evolve both on and off the field.
Desafios wait for the new technician in Anfield
Iraola will inherit a roster with several gaps. The departures of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté due to the end of their contracts weakened the team. Curtis Jones only has one year left on his contract and could leave.
The attack needs urgent reinforcements. Federico Chiesa is expected to leave the club and Ekitike is out long term. Liverpool monitors names like Yan Diomande, from RB Leipzig, but the cost can reach 100 million euros.
The right flank and defensive midfield also demand attention. Slot had already asked for reinforcements in these positions last year, but they were not met.
Além From the technical aspects, Iraola will need to unite the locker room and reconnect the fans after a season of frustration and internal arguments. The fan base experienced moments of apathy and criticism on social media.
The calendar will be demanding. Liverpool will play at least 48 games next season. Iraola has never faced such a high match load.
Histórico recent and prospects
Liverpool has experienced extremes in the last two years. The 2024-25 title generated great optimism. The 2025-26 season exposed weaknesses in the squad and crisis management.
Lesões in series, important departures and the emotional impact of Diogo Jota’s death marked the period. The team finished with the lowest score in recent years for classification in the Champions League.
The board opted for change to avoid stagnation. The expectation is that the official announcement of Andoni Iraola will take place in the next few days.
The new coach is already participating in conversations about season planning. Seu staff should be defined soon.
The club seeks to regain its leading role in the Premier League and return to fighting for European titles. The arrival of a commander with an intense and motivating profile is seen as the first step towards this return.