'I spoke to Arne Slot after Liverpool firing - he was still recovering from the shock'
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesArne SlotArne Slot was reportedly blindsided by his Liverpool sacking last weekend, with the Dutchman said to harbour no grudge towards FSG as Andoni Iraola is set to replace him at AnfieldFormer Liverpool manager Arne Slot(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)Arne Slot was reportedly caught completely off guard by his Liverpool dismissal, yet is said to harbour no ill feeling towards FSG.The Dutchman was relieved of his duties last weekend, just 12 months after guiding the club to only their second league title in 35 years, following a dismal defence of that crown which culminated in a fifth-place finish.Having secured Champions League football for next season, Slot had appeared likely to keep his position. Following the final game of the campaign, he stated he had "every reason to believe" he would still be at the helm when the new season got under way.Yet less than a week later, Slot was saying his goodbyes to Anfield after a turbulent two years in the dugout.
Dutch journalist Marcel van der Kraan described the day of his dismissal as "an absolute thunder in a clear blue sky" for the former head coach.Speaking to talkSPORT, Van der Kraan said: "I spoke to him briefly on the Sunday as well, and I think he was still recovering from the absolute blow that this was." He further noted that Slot "wasn't bitter" towards club owners FSG over their change in direction, with Andoni Iraola poised to succeed him.In an open letter to supporters in the Liverpool Echo, Slot described winning the Premier League title as "beyond special". That is something I cherish."Slot noted that the title victory was "even more meaningful" as supporters were able to partake in the celebrations, given that the 2020 triumph occurred during the pandemic.Van der Kraan suggested that Slot could soon take on a very different role as manager of the Netherlands national side following the World Cup, adding that Slot would be "very much up for that" and is "probably the ideal candidate."Andoni Iraola has explained his reasoning for preferring short-term deals(Image: AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)Koeman's contract concludes after the World Cup, and his future will likely depend on how the Dutch perform in North America.
The former Bournemouth manager touched down on Merseyside on Thursday upon his formal appointment as the club's new head coach.He has put pen to paper on a two-year deal, which is his preferred arrangement rather than a lengthier contract. It is understood that Iraola wishes to bring assistants Tommy Elphick and Shaun Cooper, analyst Tom Webber and fitness coach Pablo de la Torre along with him.The appointment aligns with the club's ambition to return to a more attacking, proactive, high-tempo style of football, which they abandoned during Slot's second campaign and which ultimately led to his dismissal.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Arne SlotLiverpool FC