Next Liverpool manager odds after Arne Slot sacking

Andoni Iraola has been installed as the odds-on favourite to be appointed Liverpool’s next manager following the sacking of Arne Slot.

The Reds confirmed the departure of the Dutchman on Saturday following a miserable campaign which the the defending Premier League champions finish fifth position, a mammoth 25 points behind winners Arsenal.

Fans turned on Slot after a number of poor performances – the team lost 19 times this season – and there was some disharmony in the dressing room with Mohamed Salah the most outspoken.

It is reported that the decision was taken with ‘enormous reluctance’, admitting it does not feel entirely fair to dispense with a coach who won only the club’s second league title in 30 years.

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However, it is understood the decision has been taken based on what they believe is the best chance of moving forward and the club’s hierarchy feel the team needs to evolve again towards a more aggressive, front-foot, urgent style of football.

That reflects comments made by Salah in a social media post earlier this month when he called for a return to the “heavy metal football” played under predecessor Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool insist the desire for a change of style should not be viewed as a criticism of Slot, whose calibre as one of Europe’s leading coaches should not be doubted.

‘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,’ said a statement.

‘He leaves with a Premier League title to his name and our deepest gratitude and appreciation.’

The search is already well underway for a successor and Iraola, who is out of work having left Bournemouth last week following the expiration of his contract, appears destined to take over at the helm.

Iraola spent three seasons on the south coast and turned the Cherries into one of the top flight’s most attractive sides, despite regularly having to sell the club’s best players.

Bournemouth secured European qualification for the first time in the club’s history a week ago, finishing just one place and three points behind Liverpool.

Iraola had been strongly linked with a move to Crystal Palace but now looks set for one of the biggest jobs in English football, while talks with AC Milan are also said to have broken down.

Speaking last weekend, ahead of Bournemouth’s game against Nottingham Forest, Iraola addressed his next move and said: He said: ‘Now is going to be the time to take decisions.

‘I didn’t want to focus on other things before the season ended. For me it was massive to get this team in Europe. Now I will have to take decisions and I suppose it will not take long.

‘It is a matter of feeling, feeling the team, the players, the correct place, more than if it is a bigger club.

‘Sometimes they are not rational decisions, you don’t know why but you see it clearly.

‘I don’t really know what I am going to do. I know there are some options but it is time now to recover a little bit, think with my family and let’s see where the future is.’