Liverpool next manager RECAP: Andoni Iraola talks set, Arne Slot letter, Pierre Sage update

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I’m really thankful he has trusted me."(Image: Getty Images)Today09:36 BSTICYMI: Slot felt blindsided after sackArne Slot was taken by complete surprise after being sacked by Liverpool.Former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has emerged as the leading candidate to take over at Anfield after Slot’s departure.And the timing appears to be significant because his availability may have been a factor in the timing of the decision to part ways with Slot.Read the full story here.(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)Today09:06 BSTMilner announces retirementAway from the managerial search, ex-Liverpool star James Milner has announced his reitrement aged 40.Content cannot be displayed without consentToday08:53 BSTWho could Iraola sign?Bournemouth are known for their excellent recruitment, so will that translate via Andoni Iraola?Eli Junior Kroupi has been a sensation on the south coast and Liverpool are looking to bolster their forward line.There's also Rayan, who'd suit the Reds' need for a new winger following Mo Salah's exit.(Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)Today08:08 BSTICYMI: Liverpool announce Konate's exitLiverpool have confirmed that Ibrahima Konate will leave the club upon the expiry of his contract.Konate had been in talks to extend his stay on Merseyside, but will leave after a breakdown in those talks.The club said in a statement: "Konate will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for the contribution he made and everyone at the club wishes him the best for the future."Read the full story here.(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Today07:43 BSTCrystal Palace targeting SageLiverpool-linked Pierre Sage has emerged as a candidate for Crystal Palace, who are also looking for a new manager.Palace initially wanted Andoni Iraola but have fallen behind the Reds in the race for his services.The Conference League winners have turned to Sage, 47, who's done an outstanding job at Lens, winning this season's French Cup.According to talkSPORT, Palace are exploring a move for the French boss.(Image: Ibrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Today07:34 BSTSlot's letter to supportersArne Slot has penned a classy letter to Liverpool's supporters following his sacking.The Dutchman reflected on the highs of last year's Premier League title win, their struggles this season, and the tragic death of Diogo Jota.His letter in full.(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Today07:27 BSTGood morningHello and welcome to Monday's live blog.We'll be with you throughout the day with the latest updates from Liverpool's search for a new manager.Let's go.31st May22:22 BSTThat's it for todayThanks for following along.It seems as though Andoni Iraola is the man for Liverpool, with talks going ahead in the coming week.Watch this space.31st May21:44 BSTMajor rebuild this summerMo Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate are all leaving Liverpool this summer.The club splashed over £400million on new recruits last summer, only to finish fifth in the Premier League, so a lot of work is needed this off-season.Sporting director Richard Hughes is the man who will shoulder a lot of that burden, alongside whoever is appointed as the new manager. A change of direction was deemed to be needed, but the likes of Virgil van Dijk weren't spoken to first.Virgil van Dijk with Arne Slot after Liverpool were dumped out of the FA Cup.31st May19:12 BSTEnrique not availableLuis Enrique had been mentioned as a possible target for Liverpool, but the club are understood to not be pursuing the Spaniard because he is expected to stay at Paris Saint-Germain.He has just won a second consecutive Champions League title and is happy in the French capital.(Image: MDI/Shutterstock)31st May18:30 BSTAll pointing towards IraolaAndoni Iraola appears extremely likely to become the next Liverpool manager.Richard Hughes was the man who, along with Michael Edwards, made the call to sack Arne Slot.

Now official talks have begun, and barring any unexpected twists, he will succeed Slot.31st May17:32 BSTClub confirm Konate exitWow, big news away from the club's search for a new manager with confirmation Ibrahima Konate will leave the club.It had been reported over the weekend that talks over a new contract had stalled and that the France defender would depart as a free agent.And Liverpool have now released a statement confirming Konate's time at Anfield has come to an end.Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)31st May16:47 BSTHoeness: The Iraola alternative?Andoni Iraola is already proving a very popular choice among fans to replace Arne Slot at Liverpool.But should the Reds look overseas instead?Sebastian Hoeness is another name who has been touted for the job alongside Iraola. And Stuttgart's striker, Ermedin Demirovic, believes the 44-year-old is the best coach in the world.Read the full story here!Sebastian Hoeness has done a great job at Stuttgart(Image: Jürgen Fromme/Getty Images)31st May16:17 BSTLiverpool want appointment before World CupIt seems as though we may discover Liverpool's next head coach sooner rather than later.That's because The Guardian are reporting the Reds want their search for Arne Slot's successor wrapped up before the World Cup kicks off next week.Andoni Iraola is the frontrunner to fill the Anfield vacancy after deciding to leave Bournemouth and will hold talks with Liverpool this week.(Image: Maynard Manyowa/Getty Images)31st May15:46 BSTEnrique staying putParis Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has expressed confidence that Lus Enrique will remain the club's manager.Enrique has been touted for a Premier League job and there is now a high-profile vacancy at Anfield.But Al-Khelaifi didn't sound like a man concerned about losing his manager as he celebrated a second straight Champions League triumph."He's the best coach, I cannot answer the question, but I'm really confident, and it's all about the project," Al-Khelaifi told TNT Sports.

"And he is the best one for the project."Read the full story here.PSG manager Luis Enrique celebrates victory with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi(Image: Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)31st May15:16 BSTICYMI: Slot in Milan frameArne Slot has emerged as a frontrunner to take charge at AC Milan following his exit from Liverpool.According to the Daily Mail, the Dutchman is already being considered as a leading candidate for the Milan job.Il Rossoneri are hunting for a replacement for Massimiliano Allegri after dismissing the Italian following their 2-1 defeat to Cagliari last Sunday - a result that cost the club their place in next season's Champions League.Read the full story here.Arne Slot(Image: Paul Ellis/AFP)31st May14:50 BSTEx-Liverpool star backs Iraola appointmentFormer Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has admitted he is "very excited" that Andoni Iraola is the outright favourite to replace Arne Slot as he threw his weight behind the coach getting the job."Very excited if Iraola gets the Liverpool job," Collymore, who made 81 appearances for the Reds, said on X. Good luck Mister!"Read the full story here.(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)31st May14:25 BSTGravenberch pays tribute to SlotContent cannot be displayed without consent31st May14:08 BSTWho is Sebastian Hoeness?Another candidate for the Liverpool job is Sebastian Hoeness.The Stuttgart manager, who's the new nephew of ex-Bayern Munich player and former president Uli Hoeness, has done an excellent job with the Bundesliga club.In just over three years in charge, Hoeness has taken Stuttgart from a relegation play-off to being Champions League regulars.They've also won the DFB Pokal under the 44-year-old and reached the final this season.His football is akin to Jurgen Klopp's 'heavy metal' that many fans are crying out for.Sebastian Hoeness is seen by some bookies as the second favourite for the job(Image: SNS Group)31st May13:26 BSTWhat about Sage?Manchester City star Rayan Cherki hailed Liverpool-linked head coach Pierre Sage as a 'genius' as the Reds hunt for a replacement for Arne Slot.Current RC Lens boss Sage, whom Cherki knows from his time at Olympique Lyonnais, is reportedly among those on that shortlist, alongside Andoni Iraola and Sebastian Hoeness.The 47-year-old Frenchman steered Lens to their first-ever Coupe de France trophy and secured a runners-up finish in Ligue 1, earning a Champions League berth.Read the full story here.(Image: Getty Images)31st May12:40 BSTICYMI: Carragher responds to Slot's sackingJamie Carragher has admitted he was surprised at the timing of Liverpool's decision to sack Arne Slot and given his verdict on Andoni Iraola potentially taking over.The former defender believes there is blame to be issued across the Reds' hierarchy and playing squad following their poor Premier League title defence.He told Sky Sports: "I was surprised, a lot that has been coming out of the club was that the manager was saying."Arne Slot was saying that in his press conferences, he was close to appointing a coach, so there's no way the club has sanctioned that if he thought he wasn't going to be in charge.I think it's sudden, caught everyone off guard including Arne Slot."Read the full story here.(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)31st May11:42 BSTManaging Liverpool: Iraola editionJust a year on from winning the Premier League, Arne Slot has been ousted by Liverpool.While not an entirely shocking outcome considering the Reds' form this season, it does mean the club are in for an even bigger summer than first thought.If Iraola does become Liverpool's 23rd manager in their storied history, he's going to have to make some major decisions.From replacing star names to building a squad capable of challenging on several fronts while reinstating an identity on the pitch, we take a look at what the Reds' potential next manager needs to do.Read the full story here.(Image: Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)31st May10:42 BSTVan Dijk breaks players' silenceVirgil van Dijk has become the first Liverpool player to post on social media since Arne Slot was sacked."We'll never forget winning the Premier League in our first season together," Van Dijk wrote on Instagram."Thank you, Trainer, and best of luck to you and your family in the future."31st May09:54 BSTSlot already lined up for next jobArne Slot has emerged as a frontrunner to take charge at AC Milan following his exit from Liverpool.According to the Daily Mail, the Dutchman is already being considered as a leading candidate for the Milan job.Il Rossoneri are hunting for a replacement for Massimiliano Allegri after dismissing the Italian following their 2-1 defeat to Cagliari last Sunday - a result that cost the club their place in next season's Champions League.Read the full story here.(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)31st May09:27 BSTCarragher reacts to Slot's sackingJamie Carragher has spoken to Sky Sports this morning and given his reaction to Liverpool sacking Arne Slot."I was surprised, a lot that has been coming out of the club was that the manager was saying.