Liverpool SACK Arne Slot LIVE: Reds' statement, Andoni Iraola pursuit and reaction

Liverpool have sacked Arne Slot following a disappointing season which saw them finish fifth in the Premier League.

Slot had been expected to stay on, but Fenway Sports Group have pulled the trigger after undergoing an end-of-season review. They are now hoping to hire Andoni Iraola as Slot's replacement after the Spaniard left Bournemouth at the end of the campaign.

Iraola has been courted by Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen after guiding the Cherries to sixth place in the league with an 18-game unbeaten run.

Arne Slot has issued a goodbye message to Liverpool fans after being sacked. The Dutchman led the club to the Premier League title in his maiden campaign after replacing Jurgen Klopp, but struggled in his second.

Andoni Iraola had been choosing between Crystal Palace and Bayer Leverkusen. But now Liverpool are favourites to land the Spaniard.

Iraola is hot property after doing an incredible job at Bournemouth, where he led them to continual improvement over three seasons, despite consistently losing top players in almost every transfer window.

The club said in a statement: "Liverpool FC can confirm Arne Slot is to depart his role as head coach with immediate effect and that the process to appoint a successor is under way."

The statement added: "Having joined the club in June 2024, Arne went on to deliver our 20th league title in his first season in charge, ending the 2024-25 campaign as LMA Manager of the Year having also guided the team to the Carabao Cup final and the last 16 of the Champions League .

"He subsequently oversaw Champions League qualification for a second successive season in 2025-26 as the Reds also reached the quarter-finals of the same competition.

"That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying. The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and – most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves – successful.

"As 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.

"From the moment that we first encountered Arne, it was immediately clear that he is an individual who does not merely accept responsibility, he embraces it. This was evident when he agreed to take over as head coach, when he guided us to the Premier League title and throughout the season just ended when he faced considerable challenges and burdens.

"At the same time, we have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward. Again, it must be stressed that this is not a decision which has been reached lightly, anything but.

"We would like to take this opportunity to place on record our appreciation for Arne, who will always hold a special place in the history of this football club as the coach who delivered Liverpool’s 20th league title.

"That accomplishment – made all the more remarkable as it arrived in his very first season in charge – was built on outstanding coaching and leadership every single day.

"He also helped guide the club through one of the most difficult periods imaginable following the loss of Diogo. The compassion and humanity he showed throughout that time said a great deal about him as a person.

"As such, we can only wish Arne well in the next stage of his coaching career, with our expectation being that he will continue to be successful. We do so in the knowledge that his Liverpool legacy is intact and will become yet more meaningful in the years and decades to come.

"Nevertheless, the conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team’s trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction. That does not diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him. Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it is indicative of the need for a different approach.

Hello and welcome to Mirror Football's live blog following the sacking of Arne Slot by Liverpool.