Manajemen Liverpool FC resmi memberhentikan Arne Slot dari jabatannya sebagai pelatih kepala dengan efek segera pada Sabtu, 30 Mei 2026, setelah melewati musim yang penuh dengan gejolak dan penurunan performa.
Keputusan tersebut diambil usai klub Merseyside itu hanya mampu finis di peringkat kelima klasemen Liga Utama Inggris setelah menelan 20 kekalahan di berbagai kompetisi sepanjang musim ini. Padahal, pelatih asal Belanda yang bergabung sejak Juni 2024 tersebut sempat membawa Liverpool meraih gelar juara liga ke-20 pada musim perdana kepemimpinannya.
Pihak manajemen klub kini tengah memulai proses untuk menunjuk suksesor baru di Anfield, di tengah munculnya spekulasi mengenai ketertarikan mantan manajer Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola, untuk mengisi posisi tersebut.
“That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying. The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and – most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves – successful.” ujar pemilik Liverpool melalui pernyataan bersama mereka.
Pihak pemilik menambahkan bahwa dedikasi dan keahlian yang ditunjukkan oleh Slot selama dua tahun masa jabatannya telah membuktikan kapasitasnya sebagai seorang pemimpin di bidang sepak bola.
“As such, our appreciation for everything he has achieved could not be greater, particularly as it was underpinned by a work ethic, a diligence and a level of expertise which further underlined our view that he is a leader in his field.” kata pemilik Liverpool.
Manajemen mengungkapkan bahwa Slot merupakan sosok yang tidak sekadar menerima tanggung jawab, melainkan merangkulnya dengan penuh komitmen sejak awal kedatangan di klub.
“From the moment that we first encountered Arne, it was immediately clear that he is an individual who does not merely accept responsibility, he embraces it. This was evident when he agreed to take over as head coach, when he guided us to the Premier League title and throughout the season just ended when he faced considerable challenges and burdens.” tutur pemilik Liverpool.
Kendati demikian, direksi klub menyimpulkan bahwa perubahan arah taktik dan kepemimpinan sangat diperlukan agar tim dapat terus melangkah maju ke depan.
“At the same time, we have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward. Again, it must be stressed that this is not a decision which has been reached lightly, anything but.” ucap pemilik Liverpool.
Klub juga menegaskan bahwa Slot akan selalu memiliki tempat istimewa dalam sejarah panjang Liverpool berkat raihan trofi liga yang dia persembahkan.
“We would like to take this opportunity to place on record our appreciation for Arne, who will always hold a special place in the history of this football club as the coach who delivered Liverpool’s 20th league title.” sebut pemilik Liverpool.
Prestasi besar pada musim pertamanya tersebut dinilai lahir dari kualitas kepelatihan harian serta kepemimpinan yang luar biasa di dalam skuad.
“That accomplishment – made all the more remarkable as it arrived in his very first season in charge – was built on outstanding coaching and leadership every single day.” jelas pemilik Liverpool.
Manajemen juga memuji sikap penuh empati yang ditunjukkan Slot saat mendampingi tim melewati masa-masa kelam setelah kepergian tragis penyerang Diogo Jota akibat kecelakaan mobil.
“He also helped guide the club through one of the most difficult periods imaginable following the loss of Diogo. The compassion and humanity he showed throughout that time said a great deal about him as a person.” ungkap pemilik Liverpool.
Pihak Fenway Sports Group (FSG) mendoakan kesuksesan bagi kelanjutan karier kepelatihan Slot selanjutnya dan meyakini warisannya di Anfield akan tetap terjaga.
“As such, we can only wish Arne well in the next stage of his coaching career, with our expectation being that he will continue to be successful. We do so in the knowledge that his Liverpool legacy is intact and will become yet more meaningful in the years and decades to come.” papar pemilik Liverpool.
Pemilik menegaskan kembali bahwa evaluasi mendalam terhadap performa tim yang melandasi keputusan ini tidak mengurangi rasa hormat mereka terhadap bakat Slot.
“Nevertheless, the conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team’s trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction. That does not diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him. Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it is indicative of the need for a different approach.” tukas pemilik Liverpool.
Pernyataan bersama tersebut ditutup dengan ungkapan terima kasih yang mendalam serta penegasan bahwa pintu Anfield akan selalu terbuka bagi Slot dan keluarganya.
“Arne leaves with our gratitude, with a Premier League title to his name, and with the knowledge that he and his family will always be welcomed back at Anfield.” pungkas pemilik Liverpool.
Sebelum pemecatan ini terjadi, gejolak di internal tim sempat dilaporkan oleh The Athletic, yang menyebutkan adanya ketidakpuasan beberapa pemain bintang seperti Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, dan Alexis Mac Allister terkait peran taktis mereka.
“You had all these tricky individual situations with the collective issues on top. There was so much negativity, so much adversity and it’s been too much for a lot of players. How many times did we get back into games and then throw it away? It’s been blow after blow.” tutur sebuah sumber internal ruang ganti Liverpool kepada The Athletic.
Tekanan dari luar lapangan juga terus meningkat seiring merosotnya kepercayaan para pendukung di Anfield akibat performa lambat yang disuguhkan sepanjang sisa kompetisi tahun 2026.
“It’s been draining from start to finish. There’s just relief for all involved that it’s over.” tambah sebuah sumber senior klub kepada The Athletic.
Mantan gelandang dan legenda Liverpool, Jamie Redknapp, sempat memberikan analisisnya mengenai beban berat yang dipikul oleh Slot sebelum keputusan pemecatan ini resmi dikeluarkan oleh pihak klub.
“Liverpool fans, in terms of a fan base, understand the game [really well], for me there’s no one better and I totally get their frustration with the football this year that’s been served up.” ujar Jamie Redknapp, mantan pemain Liverpool.
Redknapp menilai bahwa kegagalan mempertahankan performa konsisten membuat posisi sang manajer menjadi sangat rentan sejak awal periode buruk bergulir.
“It hasn’t been good enough, been too slow, pedestrian but I would also say there’s a lot of mitigating circumstances.” kata Jamie Redknapp.
Dia juga menepis anggapan miring publik yang menilai keberhasilan Slot di masa lalu hanya karena memanfaatkan fondasi tim yang ditinggalkan oleh Jurgen Klopp.
“Liverpool won [the Premier League] a year after [Jurgen Klopp left] and when people say, ‘Well, Slot won it with Klopp’s team’, but Klopp didn’t win it with that team. So that’s a little bit unfair.” cetus Jamie Redknapp.
Redknapp awalnya berharap manajemen dan suporter bersedia memberikan waktu serta dukungan tambahan untuk membenahi kedalaman skuad pada bursa transfer musim panas.
“I think you’ve just got to trust the club, because Arne will need a little bit of help next year, because if Liverpool don’t start well, he knows the price on the ticket, the pressure will come on him very early, because of what’s happened this season. And Arne knows that, but I think my feeling is he deserves a bit more respect.” ucap Jamie Redknapp kepada Sky Sports.
Meskipun demikian, laporan terbaru dari Sky Sports mengonfirmasi bahwa Andoni Iraola kini menjadi salah satu kandidat kuat yang berminat menangani Liverpool setelah dia menolak tawaran dari Crystal Palace dan menghentikan pembicaraan dengan AC Milan.
