Liverpool accused of ‘throwing culture overboard’ in Slot sack as three players are blamed | OneFootball

Liverpool have been heavily criticised in the Dutch media for taking the decision to sack Arne Slot despite a disappointing season at Anfield.

The Reds took the decision on Saturday to sack Slot after his Liverpool side failed to build on their 2024/25 Premier League title win.

Liverpool finished fifth in the Premier League this term as they scraped a place in next season’s Champions League, which will allow a new manager to rebuild.

Widespread reports on Saturday indicated that it is just a matter of time before Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola is unveiled as the new head coach after Slot was sacked.

Announcing Slot’s departure, a joint statement from the Liverpool ownership read: “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.

“Arne leaves with our gratitude, with a Premier League title to his name, and with the knowledge that he and his family will always be welcomed back at Anfield.”

Liverpool accused of ‘throwing their own culture overboard’

And the Dutch media reacted angrily to Slot’s sacking with newspaper De Telegraaf accusing Liverpool of ‘throwing their own culture overboard’ by end his tenure. claiming the Reds have turned into a ‘hire and fire’ club.

AD pointed to ‘major disappointments’ Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz in a huge summer of spending from Fenway Sports Group (FSG) as the duo ‘barely delivered and proved to be a costly miscalculation in hindsight’.

Another publication De Volkskrant called Salah, who will be leaving Liverpool this summer, as Slot’s ‘biggest problem’ at Anfield with the Dutchman’s ‘authority undermined’ by the Egpyt international’s public criticism of the club and manager.