Arne Slot linked with instant return hours after Liverpool sacking

Arne Slot could be set for an immediate return to work following his sacking at Liverpool.

The Dutchman was relieved of his duties after a torrid 2025/26 campaign in the Premier League.

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What happened to Liverpool this season?

It should have been a spirited defence of the title they won the previous season but in the end they could only manage a fifth-place finish.

They were five points behind Aston Villa in fourth and an astonishing 25 behind winner Arsenal.

That’s all despite spending £446million on a raft of new signings last summer.

That included the arrival of forwards Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike who cost a combined £184million from Newcastle and Eintracht Frankfurt, respectively.

What happened to Liverpool in 2025/26?

Injuries and poor form hindered them all campaign and they could only muster the fourth highest goal tally (63) in the division.

Meanwhile, defensively, veteran Virgil van Dijk, and his supporting cast were unusually leaky too.

Overall they conceded 53 times – only four fewer than relegation battlers Tottenham.

Poor displays against Aston Villa and Brentford in their last two matches then cemented the belief Slot’s time at Anfield should end.

talkSPORT understands former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is expected to replace him at Anfield.

Who will Arne Slot manage next?

Slot, according to reporter Sacha Tavolieri, is now a leading contender for the head coach role with AC Milan.

The Italian giants are looking for a new boss after Massimiliano Allegri was sacked after just one season in charge at the San Siro.

In total, he won 22 of the 42 games he had in Milan – a win percentage of 52.38.

But, despite 20 of them being in Serie A, a late season collapse saw them finish fifth, behind relative newcomers Como, and only good enough to qualify for the Europa League.

Milan were even top of the division in December but seven defeats in their last 12 matches were too damaging and rivals Inter won the title.

And Slot could now go in and pick up the pieces.

talkSPORT’S Arne Slot verdict

The Dutchman leaves with a title in his cabinet but talkSPORT’s chief live football anchor Adrian Durham believes he should have had more time.

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He believes his fate was sealed by outgoing club legend Mohamed Salah, who released a pointed statement before their final game of the season, which was liked by other Liverpool players.

Durham told The Sunday Edition: “It was player power, wasn’t it?

“I think that Mo Salah has been a bit of a disgrace, to be honest with you.

“What I really don’t like is that he’s had this guard of honour and a farewell from Anfield, and Arne Slot’s been snuck out the back door. I think he’s a disgrace.

“He’s gone in there and won the title, and yeah, they’re miles off it with millions spent. But I thought he’d earned the right of a bit more time, especially as they did finish in a Champions League position.

“The irony is that Mo Salah has basically got Arne Slot sacked. All those players who liked Mo Salah’s post have got him sacked.

“So let’s see how they get on. They’ve got to perform now. The spotlight and the scrutiny should be on those players. Let’s see how they get on under the new manager.

“But I think Arne Slot deserved a little bit better, but boy, Liverpool were terrible last season. 12 defeats in the Premier League, unacceptable. And as I said before, they finished 25 points off Arsenal. That’s just not acceptable.

“It was a terrible defence of the Premier League title.”