Four Potential Arne Slot Replacements After Liverpool Fire Dutch Manager

Liverpool supporters spent last season thinking Arne Slot could walk on water. Fast forward a year and the Dutchman has sank.

A pitiful Premier League title defense under the 47-year-old was littered with humiliating defeats and insipid performances, while disastrous domestic cup exits and a mediocre Champions League campaign only exacerbated things.

In the end, Liverpool were forced into firing Slot as the noise surrounding him became too intense, and they now begin their search for his successor. Previous favorite and former Red Xabi Alonso has already joined Chelsea, though, meaning the club must pursue alternative managerial targets.

Here are four possible replacements for Slot.

Andoni Iraola

Alonso’s compatriot Andoni Iraola is the clear front-runner for the Liverpool job. The 43-year-old left Bournemouth at the end of the 2025–26 campaign and is currently undecided on his next move, leaving the door ajar for an impressive promotion to the Anfield hot seat.

Iraola’s pedigree makes him an appealing option. Having transformed Bournemouth despite repeatedly seeing his squad picked apart by Europe’s elite, he’s undeniably worthy of the opportunity to manage a giant. A remarkable final campaign with the Cherries saw him qualify them for the Europa League—a first continental appearance in the club’s history.

Bournemouth have blossomed into a high-octane, attacking outfit under Iraola, whose principles and tactical philosophy would ensure an upturn in excitement at Anfield. The gegenpressing style Mohamed Salah has so dearly missed since Jürgen Klopp’s departure could be reinstalled.

Iraola has a proven track record of improving players, with Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen, Antoine Semenyo and Dominic Solanke all examples of players nurtured and sold on for enormous profits. Proven Premier League experience also ticks another box for Liverpool, Iraola needing no time to adjust to the rough and tumble of England’s top flight.

The 43-year-old might not be the most glamorous appointment possible, but he’s certainly the wisest.

Cesc Fàbregas

Cesc Fabregas for Como. — Cesc Fàbregas is dazzling in Italy. | Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Chelsea have turned to a former Red in their pursuit of glory and Liverpool could take the plunge on a former Blues midfielder in response. Cesc Fàbregas has long been tipped as an up-and-coming coach to watch out for and an extremely impressive stint with Italian side Como has further enhanced a growing reputation, naturally drawing links between the Spaniard and European giants.

Fàbregas doesn’t have a massive portfolio, but what he’s achieved at Como deserves recognition. Taking over the newly promoted Serie A side at the start of the 2024–25 season, the 39-year-old helped them stave off relegation and finish in a respectable 10th, much to the shock of many. An even more impressive campaign has been enjoyed in 2025–26, Como qualifying for the Champions League ahead of Milan and Juventus.

Fàbregas’s confident and methodical approach has worked wonders with Como, who topped Serie A for possession and clean sheets last season. The former Barcelona and Arsenal man has shown off his tactical nous regularly, making his side incredibly difficult to break down, but also joyous to watch when moving the ball forward. Only champions Inter averaged more goals than Como.

They do not play with the same intensity as Iraola’s Bournemouth or Klopp’s Liverpool, for example, instead preferring a mid-block and patiently choosing their triggers. However, Fàbregas has proven a tactically flexible coach who could certainly dial up the energy levels if required.

Sebastian Hoeneß

A hipster’s choice as Slot’s replacement, Sebastian Hoeneß certainly belongs in the conversation for such colossal jobs. The cap-donning 44-year-old has forged a reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting coaches, a stint with Hoffenheim followed by a hugely impressive spell with Stuttgart.

Die Schwaben were bottom of the Bundesliga when Hoeneß took over and the German managed to save them via the relegation playoff. They would soon kick on, however, rising from 16th to second the following season and making their much-anticipated return to the Champions League.

League performances suffered last season as Stuttgart juggled European and domestic duties, but triumphing in the DFB Pokal was another massive achievement spearheaded by Hoeneß. In 2025–26, a fourth-place finish was matched by another run to the German cup final.

What has characterized his success is intense, vertical soccer built around hard work and fierce pressing. Stuttgart smother opponents and recycle the ball quickly, ensuring they boast one of the best forward units in the Bundesliga. Only Bayern scored more than their 71 in the league last season.

Someone clearly inspired by Klopp’s pressing ideals could be the perfect solution, and The Athletic have revealed he’s among the club’s candidates—despite Iraola being the overwhelming favorite.

Pierre Sage

The Athletic also report that Lens manager Pierre Sage is among the candidates being discussed on Merseyside, and it’s easy to see why following an incredible season in France.

The 47-year-old arrived at the Ligue 1 side last summer after the club had finished eighth and quickly turned their fortunes around. Lens finished the 2025–26 season with a first ever Coupe de France title in their 120-year history and pushed Paris Saint-Germain all the way in the title race, finishing second and just six points off the behemoths.

Earlier this month, Sage was asked which English club he would most like to manage. “Liverpool,” responded the Frenchman. “This club represents so much, it’s a bit like Lens in its values. There are other attractive clubs in England, but it would be the holy grail.”

Sage has built his reputation around a fluid 3-4-3 system employed at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, which emphasizes intense pressing and high turnovers. They only scored eight fewer goals than PSG in Ligue 1 last season, with swift attacking transitions key to their easy-on-the-eye style. At the other end of the field, they conceded just 35 times, only their Parisian conquerors boasting a stronger defensive record.

A lack of experience is perhaps the biggest issue for Sage, who might need to continue his success at Lens to earn such a high-profile position in the future.

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