Liverpool had agreed to bolster Arne Slot‘s coaching team before seemingly performing a dramatic U-turn and instead dismissing the Dutchman. Even in the hours leading up to Slot’s departure from Anfield, the manager believed that Etienne Reijnen was set to arrive from Feyenoord.
The Reds confirmed Slot’s exit on Saturday afternoon, with Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola the frontrunner to succeed him. The Spaniard revealed earlier this season that he would be leaving the Cherries this summer.
The decision appears to represent a striking reversal from just days earlier. Liverpool seemed to be on the verge of appointing Reijnen, who had previously worked alongside Slot at Feyenoord.
He departed his position with the Dutch club earlier this month and is reported to have informed those around him that he was preparing to relocate to a Premier League club. Liverpool rekindled their pursuit after the coach had previously been unable to obtain a work permit when Slot initially joined the club in 2024.
The Telegraph reports that Reijnen had bid farewell to contacts in Rotterdam and was poised to make the switch to Anfield. It’s suggested that there was no hint of the plan changing as late as 5.30pm on Friday evening.
Slot’s dismissal means that the addition could now be shelved, with the incoming manager, whether that proves to be Iraola or another candidate, expected to appoint his own coaching team. For Iraola, that could well include Tommy Elphick.
The Bournemouth assistant manager turned down the chance to take the reins at Bristol City this week, and is understood to be weighing up his next move carefully.
Bournemouth are eager to retain the coach to work under incoming manager Marco Rose, but The Telegraph reports that Iraola would be keen to bring him to Anfield should he be confirmed as Liverpool’s new boss.
Reflecting on the potential appointment of Iraola on TNT Sports, Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard said: “I think he’s done a fabulous job at Bournemouth. I think his style would suit Liverpool. But let’s not beat around the bush.
“Liverpool Football Club is an attractive job for a lot of elite managers around the world.
“So I don’t think he’ll be the only name on the table. But because of the link to Bournemouth and the guys that have come from Bournemouth to Liverpool in terms of board level, they will know him very well.”