BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) 鈥� Liverpool fired manager Arne Slot on Saturday following a in charge having previously led the team to the Premier League title.
Fenway Sports Group, the club鈥檚 American ownership, said it made a 鈥渄ifficult鈥� decision after Liverpool finished fifth in a disappointing title defense.
鈥淲e have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward,鈥� the ownership said in a statement. 鈥淎gain, it must be stressed that this is not a decision which has been reached lightly, anything but.鈥�
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 to strength the squad in last year鈥檚 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 last summer.
A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that the decision did 鈥渘ot sit easily鈥� with Liverpool and 鈥渙n a human level鈥� did not 鈥渇eel 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鈥檚 replacement has begun with Liverpool seeking a more 鈥渁ggressive and urgent鈥� 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.
鈥淭hat this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying,鈥� the club statement said. 鈥淭he contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and 鈥� most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves 鈥� successful.
鈥淎s 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.鈥�
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