Sacked Slot says his connection with Liverpool ‘goes beyond football’ in farewell letter

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Arne Slot has said the connection he shares with Liverpool and the club’s fans “goes beyond football”.

The Dutchman was sacked as head coach at Anfield on Saturday, 12 months on from winning only the club’s second title in 35 years after a pitiful defence ended with them stumbling to a fifth-placed finish.

In an open letter to fans in the Liverpool Echo, he said winning the Premier League title was “beyond special”.

Slot wrote: “The connection we share goes beyond football, beyond European nights under the Anfield lights or the sound of You’ll Never Walk Alone being sung from The Kop.

“You made me feel welcome from the start and helped me on the path. That is something I cherish.”

Slot said winning the title was “even more meaningful” because fans were able to share in the celebrations after the 2020 title success during the pandemic.

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Jamie Redknapp admits he was surprised to hear that Liverpool had sacked head coach Slot

He described the “shocking” events when 134 supporters were injured as Paul Doyle drove into them on Water Street in the city centre during celebrations. Doyle was jailed for 21 years and six months after he pleaded guilty to 31 offences.

“I was privileged to witness first-hand your spirit of compassion and unity,” Slot wrote. “It is a spirit that has carried this city through difficult moments before, and one that I hope will help bring the justice and accountability so many have campaigned for over many years.”

Slot also described the “love, compassion and support shown by the Liverpool family” following the death of forward Diogo Jota in a car crash as “extraordinary” and that the way the fans honoured the player would stay with him forever.

Slot pays tribute to players, staff and Liverpool owners

As well as thanking fans, Slot paid tribute to players, staff and the club’s owners.

“It has been a pleasure working with you all,” he said.

“Liverpool’s 20th league title belongs to all of us and it will remain an important chapter in its history. For that we should all be proud.

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Paul Merson reacts to Slot’s sacking and thinks he should have been given more time to turn around their fortunes, while also revealing how he thinks Iraola would get on if he is given the job

“I leave with complete confidence in what lies ahead. The players who have given so much to this club, who have upheld its values and helped create so many unforgettable moments, have built foundations that will endure.

“At the same time, a new generation is emerging, ready to write its own story and embrace the responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt.

“Change is part of football, but I know that this club will continue to make its people proud.”

Arne Slot’s farewell letter in full…

You walk out under that famous sign in the Anfield tunnel, and you feel a mix of emotions.

Responsibility, of course. To this club’s great history.

Expectation, naturally. To honour the legacy that, for 134 years, has made Liverpool FC one of the biggest clubs in world football.

And determination. To compete. To win. To bring success to an Anfield crowd so renowned across the globe.

That all of those emotions would culminate in a Premier League title after just 12 months was beyond special. It was not only a trophy, but a reward for the hard work, sacrifice and commitment shown by so many people throughout the club.

It was made even more meaningful because you got to enjoy it with us. Singing our songs, cheering the goals. And on the day we lifted the trophy, you were there. Lining the streets outside the stadium, filling Anfield in anticipation.

Having had much of that taken from you in 2020, it was never lost on me how much it mattered that you were part of it all. Seeing you come together in your hundreds of thousands on the streets of Liverpool for the title celebrations only reinforced that idea.

What followed on Water Street later that day was shocking and my thoughts remain with all of those affected. I was privileged to witness first-hand your spirit of compassion and unity. It is a spirit that has carried this city through difficult moments before, and one that I hope will help bring the justice and accountability so many have campaigned for over many years.

That only weeks after celebrating together we would lose Diogo is indescribable. More than anything, I want to remember a team-mate, a friend and an incredible human being who touched the lives of thousands of you every time he wore this club’s famous crest.

In one of the most difficult moments this club has faced, the love, compassion and support shown by the Liverpool family was extraordinary. 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.

The connection we share goes beyond football, beyond European nights under the Anfield lights or the sound of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ being sung from The Kop.

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.

To the players who wore the badge with pride while representing this club across the world. To the staff – not only those on the training ground – but those behind the scenes, whether maintaining the pitches at Anfield or working in the canteen at the training ground.

To the club hierarchy and ownership for your trust and direction. To the legends who supported me and impressed upon me the importance of The Liverpool Way.

It has been a pleasure working with you all.

Liverpool’s 20th league title belongs to all of us and it will remain an important chapter in its history. For that we should all be proud.

This club will always judge itself by the biggest honours. That is how it should be.

But I also leave knowing the club is exactly where it belongs: amongst Europe’s elite. 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. The players who have given so much to this club, who have upheld its values and helped create so many unforgettable moments, have built foundations that will endure.

At the same time, a new generation is emerging, ready to write its own story and embrace the responsibility that comes with wearing this shirt.

Change is part of football, but I know that this club will continue to make its people proud.

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.

Arne.

Carra: An elite manager would have fixed Liverpool

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Jamie Carragher gives his thoughts on Slot being sacked by Liverpool, stating he was ‘shocked’ and the effect fan and player power may have had on the decision

Jamie Carragher was shocked by Slot’s sacking but believes an elite manager would have fixed Liverpool last season.

“I was torn on Arne Slot,” he said. “I would have almost backed any decision and I could see both sides of the argument, but it is a shock.

“I think an elite football manager, the absolute creme de la creme, probably finds a way of fixing Liverpool last season at some stage and making it better, but he wasn’t helped with recruitment.

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Sky Sports News’ Vinny O’Connor explains why Liverpool have decided to move on from Slot

“You look at those players, have any of them done well? There’s only (Hugo) Ekitike who’s played well, none of the others have done well. You could put that on the manager, does he need to get more out of them?

“Should those players have done more? A lot more, yes. Should the people above them have given them a better squad going into this season? Yes.

“There’s a lot of people to point the fingers at where Liverpool were last season, and also the players who were there the year before, a complete contrast in their performances.”

Liverpool due to begin formal talks with Iraola this week

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With Andoni Iraola being linked with the Liverpool job, Sky Sports News’ Mark McAdam analyses how his style of play compares to Jurgen Klopp and Slot

Meanwhile, Liverpool are due to begin formal talks with Andoni Iraola this week.

The out-of-contract Bournemouth boss is the clear frontrunner to replace Slot.

The Spaniard has been in negotiations with Bayer Leverkusen after appearing to cool talks with AC Milan. However, amid those talks, Sky in Italy reported Iraola was still open to the Liverpool job despite no vacancy being open at Anfield at the time.

Andoni Iraola's playing style compared to Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot

Now it is – and Iraola has a strong relationship with Liverpool director of football Richard Hughes after their time together at Bournemouth.

Hughes convinced Bournemouth to hire Iraola from Rayo Vallacano in 2023. He has since done a remarkable job, putting Bournemouth in the Europa League via a sixth-placed finish.

Iraola has also had Crystal Palace as an option but they have always expected him to join a bigger club – even after they won the Conference League.

Iraola comes with risk for Liverpool – but Slot had to go

Andoni Iraola
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Iraola is set to begin talks with Liverpool this week

Adam Bate reflects on Liverpool’s decision to sack Slot and looks at why Iraola is seen as an exciting option to replace him; the appointment would be viewed as a gamble by some but supporters want to see a major change of style at Anfield…

Read the feature in full here!

Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com

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