Arne Slot has issued his own public farewell to Liverpool supporters, less than 48 hours after his surprise sacking left the Premier League title-winning Dutchman without an opportunity to say goodbye.
Liverpool axed Slot on Saturday, six days after the end of their season, having initially appearing to be prepared to give him more time in charge despite a difficult second season at Anfield.
The Reds lost 20 matches in all competitions and could only finish fifth in the Premier League in a disappointing follow-up to the title won in Slot’s debut season in England.
Liverpool are set to open formal talks with outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola this week, as they look to make a swift appointment following the sacking.
But now Slot has found his moment to speak out, publishing a 688-word open letter in the local newspaper, the Liverpool ECHO. In it, he ultimately puts his sacking down to Liverpool’s high demands, writing: ‘Change is part of football, but I know that this club will continue to make its people proud.
Arne Slot has written an open letter to Liverpool fans after he was sacked at the weekend
‘When I first stood beneath that sign in the Anfield tunnel, I knew what this club demanded. I leave knowing we never stopped striving for it.’
Slot’s classy message includes nods to the victims of the Liverpool parade attack a year ago, when Paul Doyle drove his car into crowds on Water Street, injuring 130 people, and the ‘indescribable’ death of striker Diogo Jota in a car crash last July.
‘In one of the most difficult moments this club has faced, the love, compassion and support shown by the Liverpool family was extraordinary,’ Slot writes. ‘As I leave this club, it would be remiss of me not to say that the way you honoured Diogo and stood together in his memory will stay with me forever.’
He adds: ‘You made me feel welcome from the start and helped me on the path. That is something I cherish. Of course, it is important to say thank you.’
There are nods to the players ‘who wore the badge with pride’, although no specific names are pulled out after his very public falling-out with Mohamed Salah.
Slot, who has been linked with taking over at AC Milan should be decide to cut short his new time off, positions himself as a manager who has left Liverpool in a good place. But fans were not happy with his dull football in his second season with plenty of jeering and moaning at matches.
‘I leave knowing the club is exactly where it belongs: amongst Europe’s elite,’ Slot writes. ‘Securing Champions League football was an important responsibility and one that ensures Liverpool can continue competing at the highest level next season and beyond. I leave with complete confidence in what lies ahead.’
Slot had trouble handling Mohamed Salah during his difficult second season at Liverpool
But he did win the Premier League title in his debut season after moving from the Netherlands
Slot was informed his Liverpool career was over around 11am – just 90 minutes before the club announced their decision at 12.30pm on Saturday.
He was sacked following a review into Liverpool’s troubled season that was led by Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards, chief executive of football at the club’s owner, Fenway Sports Group.
FSG continues to back the pair to lead Liverpool’s football operation despite the disappointing return on last summer’s outlay on new signings of almost £450m.
Hughes and Edwards are understood to have started their review before the end of the season.
Slot was assessed along with the data behind the team’s performances. Players were not consulted and, although supporter unrest was taken into account, it is not believed to have played a decisive role in their final conclusion that the team were unlikely to improve under Slot.
FSG then signed off the recommendation of Hughes and Edwards.
