The recent departure of Arne SlotCoach·Arne Slot from his role as LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool head coach at the close of May 2026 has prompted retrospective analysis, with former Reds defender Dejan LovrenPlayer·Dejan Lovren offering a pointed critique of the timing. Lovren, speaking in an interview with Egyptian outlet WinWin, contended that the club's decision to relieve Slot of his duties should have been enacted months prior, specifically in the early spring.
Arne SlotCoach·Arne Slot's tenure at Anfield began with considerable promise, guiding LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool to a Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League title in his inaugural 2024/25 season. However, the subsequent 2025/26 campaign proved to be a stark contrast, widely described as a "hugely disappointing second season." The team's form experienced a significant downturn, particularly in the latter half of the calendar year 2025, where they plummeted to 12th place in the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League by late November after enduring a challenging run of six defeats from seven league matches.
By February 22, 2026, LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool found themselves in sixth place in the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League standings with 42 points, a position that underscored the team's struggles. This period of inconsistency continued, culminating in exits from both the FA CupCompetition·FA Cup and the UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League in April 2026. The club ultimately finished the Premier LeagueCompetition·Premier League season in fifth place, marking their lowest league total since the 2015/16 campaign.
Dejan LovrenPlayer·Dejan Lovren's assessment of the situation was unequivocal, suggesting that the club's leadership should have acted decisively much sooner.
"They should have done it in February, sometime around February or March, when I saw everything, how it was, what was happening, but it was their decision. Maybe they had other plans, but like I said, ultimately it's important that Liverpool are in the Champions League"— Dejan Lovren.
Despite the overall disappointment of the season, LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool managed to secure UEFA Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League qualification on the final matchday, a crucial outcome that Lovren acknowledged. This qualification reportedly vindicated Fenway Sports Group (FSG), LiverpoolTeam·Liverpool's ownership, in their decision to wait until the season's conclusion before making a managerial change. The delay allowed them to secure elite European football and subsequently appoint Andoni Iraola as Slot's successor.
Lovren was not alone in his sentiment, with other former players, including Jermaine Pennant and Danny MurphyPlayer·Danny Murphy, also advocating for a change in management during the challenging period. Reports also indicated a deterioration in Arne SlotCoach·Arne Slot's relationships with several senior players, notably Mohamed SalahPlayer·Mohamed Salah, who reportedly felt "thrown under the bus" after being omitted from the starting lineup on three occasions in December 2025. The club's ability to navigate these challenges and still achieve Champions LeagueCompetition·Champions League football remains a key talking point in the aftermath of Slot's departure.
Dejan Lovren, Mohamed Salah, and Xherdan Shaqiri celebrate with the Premier League trophy. PA Images/IMAGO
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