Arne Slot has said he is departing Liverpool “exactly where it belongs: amongst Europe’s elite”, offering an emotional message to supporters in the wake of his dismissal as head coach.
The Dutch manager was relieved of his duties on Saturday, a little over a year after guiding the Reds to the Premier League crown. His second season proved far tougher, with Liverpool’s title defence collapsing to a fifth-place finish, 25 points adrift of champions Arsenal.
Even with a difficult campaign across all competitions that included 20 defeats, Liverpool still managed to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
With the Anfield job now open, reports suggest the club are preparing to begin formal discussions this week with former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
Quick facts
- Arne Slot says he is leaving Liverpool “exactly where it belongs: amongst Europe’s elite”.
- He was sacked on Saturday, 12 months after winning the Premier League.
- Liverpool finished fifth in the title defence, 25 points behind Arsenal.
- The club recorded 20 defeats in all competitions but still qualified for the next Champions League.
- Formal talks are reportedly expected with former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola this week.
Slot, 47, wrote the note in an open letter to fans published by the Liverpool Echo. He took over from Jurgen Klopp in 2024 and said winning the top-flight title in his first season was “beyond special”.
“Liverpool’s 20th league title belongs to all of us and it will remain an important chapter in its history,” Slot said. “For that we should all be proud.”
He added: “This club will always judge itself by the biggest honours. That is how it should be.”
Slot also stressed that Champions League football was a major responsibility as he signed off from the role. “But I also leave knowing the club is exactly where it belongs: amongst Europe’s elite. Securing Champions League football was an important responsibility.”
Tributes and reflections
In the letter, Slot looked back on the club’s unity during the celebrations that followed last year’s title success. He said he felt “privileged to witness first-hand your spirit of compassion and unity” after Paul Doyle drove his car through crowds in the city centre during the festivities, leaving scores of supporters injured.
Doyle was later sentenced to more than 21 years in prison after admitting 31 offences.
Slot then paid tribute to Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in Spain just weeks after Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy. “In one of the most difficult moments this club has faced, the love, compassion and support shown by the Liverpool family was extraordinary,” he said.
“As I leave this club, it would be remiss of me not to say that the way you honoured Diogo and stood together in his memory will stay with me forever.”
He concluded by describing the bond between supporters and the club as something bigger than football—going beyond nights under the lights at Anfield and the sound of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” rising from the Kop. “You made me feel welcome from the start and helped me on the path. That is something I cherish.”
