Arne Slot will already have his eye on top job elsewhere after Liverpool exit
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Football Insider or go back to LFC Live.
Credit: Imago Sat 30 May 2026 13:56, UK Arne Slot must be eyeing a quick return to management with Bayer Leverkusen after he was sacked by Liverpool following a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.Liverpool confirmed on Saturday afternoon that Slot had been relieved of his duties as their manager with immediate effect.The Dutchman led his side to a fifth-placed finish in the Premier League as they suffered a huge drop-off from his title-winning debut campaign on Merseyside.He could now be on the lookout for another job after leaving Liverpool, with a move to Bayer Leverkusen seeming like the most realistic next step for all parties involved.Liverpool want their new manager to be Andoni Iraola after he left Bournemouth, and his appointment could have a knock-on effect in terms of where Slot goes next. 📋 Liverpool Manager News 📋 Get the inside track on the Anfield dugout with real-time updates on shortlisted candidates, live betting market shifts, and key boardroom decisions. VISIT THE MANAGER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Bayer Leverkusen job would be ideal for Arne Slot to restore his damaged reputationSlot’s stocks were very high this time last year after he guided the Reds to their second Premier League title at a relative canter in his first season in charge.The Dutchman orchestrated the most expensive transfer window for a single club in Premier League history last summer, but was unable to gel his new additions together as Liverpool’s form suffered throughout 2025-26.Games managedWinsDrawsLossesPPG1136618291.91Slot’s managerial stats at LiverpoolIt comes as little surprise to see him sacked off the back of such a tough season both on and off the pitch, and it does seem unlikely that he will be under consideration to return to management with any of the world’s biggest clubs this summer.Liverpool want Iraola to succeed the 47-year-old, and he could snub serious interest from Bundesliga side Leverkusen to take the Anfield job on.Kasper Hjulmand is widely expected to move on from the BayArena this summer after struggling to help their form improve since taking over after Erik ten Hag’s disastrous early-season spell at the helm.Leverkusen showcased their ability to upset the odds by winning the Bundesliga under Xabi Alonso in 2024, and are in real need of fresh impetus after a disappointing sixth-placed finish under Hjulmand.Slot could well see the job as the right next step for his career, as expectations will not be too high, and Leverkusen have a talented group of players who simply need better guidance heading into next season.Who are the leading candidates to replace Slot at Liverpool?Sources have told Football Insider that the Liverpool board admire Iraola, and he is believed to be their leading candidate to succeed Slot right now.🚨 EXCL: Arne Slot says goodbye to Liverpool fans.“It’s been an amazing ride together with Liverpool, I am so grateful that we were able to win the league last season”. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AONbxY9m38— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 30, 2026 He is the favourite with one of the UK’s top bookmakers to be the next permanent Reds boss, at evens, but they are still assessing other candidates.
Luis Enrique is installed as the second-favourite at 4/1, while former manager Jurgen Klopp and compatriot Julian Nagelsmann are given 6/1 odds to be next in the Anfield dugout.Other candidates include Steven Gerrard (14/1), Simone Inzaghi, Unai Emery and Oliver Glasner (all 16/1), while Matthias Jaissle is 20/1. 🔴 Don’t Miss a Beat: Your Liverpool Insider Access Get the full story from Anfield and the AXA Training Centre with our dedicated expert hubs: Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Merseyside.