Arne Slot, the Dutch manager who led Liverpool to a Premier League title in his first season, has been dismissed after a second-season slump that yielded 20 defeats and a fifth-place finish. in a 688-word open letter published in the Liverpool ECHO, Slot thanked fans, recalled the tragic Water Street attack, and paid tribute to striker Diogo Jota , who died in a car crash last summer. His departure was triggered by a review from Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards that concluded the team was unlikely to improve under his guidance, despite a record summer transfer spend of nearly £450 million.

The 'unlikely to improve' verdict behind Arne Slot's dismiissal

According to the report,the board's review began before the end of the season, analysing data and results without consulting the playing squad. The review, led by Hughes and Edwards, recommended dismissal to the Fenway Sports Group ownership, who approved it.. Slot was informed of his sacking at 11 a.m. on Saturday, a full 90 minutes before the public announcement at 12:30 p.m. — a timeline that underscores the club's determination to reset swiftly.

Slot acknowledged in his letter that the team's performance sparked criticism and occasional jeering from the stands, but he stressed that Champions League qualification was secured, keeping Liverpool among Europe's elite. The review's conclusion, however, suggests that the board saw no trajectory for improvement, even after a summer that shattered transfer records.

20 defeats and a £450 million question: what went wrong?

The contrast between Slot's debut championship and his second season is stark. The team amassed 20 losses across all competitions and finished fifth in the league, a far cry from the title-winning form. Slot pointed to the relentless pressure from the board and supporters, but also acknowledged that the style of football drew criticism. The ECHO reported that the club's leadership launched the review before the final whistle,a sign that patience had worn thin.

The £450 million summer spend — the largest in Liverpool's history — failed to arrest the decline. Slot did not name individuals in his letter, after a highly publicised fallout with Mohamed Salah, but he expressed gratitude to the players who "wore the badge with pride." The question of how such investment yielded so little remains central to the post-mortem.

An open letter's tribute: the Water Street attack and Diogo Jota's death

Slot's letter was not solely about performance. He recalled the Water Street attack in 2022 that injured more than a hundred people, praising the "Liverpool family" for its compassion. He also honoured Jota, who died in a car crash last summer, writing that the way fans remembered the striker would stay with him forever. "In one of the most difficult moments this club has faced, the love, compassion and support shown by the Liverpool family was extraordinary," Slot wrote, as quoted by the ECHO.

These personal notes highlight how Slot sought to leave a message that went beyond results, even as the board's data-driven analysis moved in a different direction.

Who replaces Slot? Iraola talks and AC Milan links

Liverpool have already begun formal talks with Bournemouth's outgoing manager Andoni Iraola, according to the report.. Slot himself hinted at future opportunities, mentioning that he has been linked with a role at AC Milan. The swift move to find a replacement suggests that the club had a succession plan in place even before the review concluded. What remains unknown is whether Iraola will accept the challenge of managing a club that just spent £450 million on transfers yet still expects immediate improvement. Also unverified: how the fallout with Salah influenced the dressing room dynamics,and whether Slot's openness in his letter will reshape his reputation or merely serve as a footnote.