Liverpool sack Arne Slot as FSG cite loss of identity
Liverpool sack Arne Slot after two years. He won the 2025 Premier League and reached a Carabao Cup final, but a poor 2025-26, marked by 20 defeats and Anfield unrest after Jota’s death, led to change.
AC Milan consider Slot after his Liverpool sacking. They have also spoken to Andoni Iraola and plan talks with Oliver Glasner. Slot is free to talk to clubs under his exit terms.
FSG cited loss of identity, low tempo and dips in form for stars as reasons to sack Slot after 20 defeats. Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes led the review. Van Dijk urged players to ‘take responsibility’.
Report claims Slot’s pre-Brentford comments indicated he did not expect FSG to sack him.
Liverpool target Andoni Iraola also holds talks with Crystal Palace, AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen, with Palace seeking a response within 24 hours. He knows Reds chief Richard Hughes from Bournemouth.
PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi says he is confident Luis Enrique stays after their Champions League win, despite Liverpool’s vacancy. Steven Gerrard expects Liverpool already have a successor lined up.
Key lows that doomed Slot: 1-4 PSV at Anfield, late 1-1 v Spurs, FA Cup collapse at Man City, toothless 0-2 at PSG after dropping Salah, and toxic 1-1 v Chelsea with boos and Ngumoha chants.
Gossip column: Slot’s exit could prompt Mohamed Salah to rethink leaving Liverpool. Slot linked to AC Milan. Other unrelated transfer snippets included.
Foot Mercato say Ibrahima Konaté will leave Liverpool on a free after talks collapsed. Al-Ittihad make him a priority signing, though coach and director uncertainty in Jeddah could affect their pitch.
Winners from Slot’s exit: Salah and Curtis Jones, plus academy hopes. Possible losers: Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo, with roles uncertain under a new manager like Andoni Iraola.
Opinion: Liverpool’s hierarchy aligned with Salah’s call for ‘heavy‑metal’ football, sacking Slot after a dull, error-prone season and 20 defeats, amid flawed recruitment and Anfield boos.
Rafael Leao says he wants a ‘new chapter’, alerting Liverpool as Iraola target. Milan would demand far more than £30m. His dribbling excites, but pressing doubts may clash with Iraola’s intense style.
Liverpool shortlist Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeneß after sacking Slot, per The Athletic. He won the DFB-Pokal and reached the Champions League with VfB, though Andoni Iraola remains the favourite.
Italian reports claim Arne Slot’s exit could reopen Juventus’ push for Alisson. Tuttosport say Slot wanted him kept, but Liverpool upheaval, including Richard Hughes’ future, may change transfer plans.
Report: Barcelona explore free-agent move for former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez after Al Hilal registration issues, with Julián Álvarez still their priority.
UFC fan Paddy Pimblett urges the Champions League final-winning manager to quit and take the Liverpool job after Slot’s exit.
