Liverpool have sacked Arne Slot just a year after he delivered the Premier League title, with the club conceding a failed title defence forced their hand.
The Dutchman leaves Anfield after a season that saw the Reds lose 20 league games and finish fifth.
Discontent grew among supporters and senior players, with Mohamed Salah appearing to criticise Slot’s approach in a social media post referencing Jurgen Klopp’s heavy metal teams.
Liverpool said the decision was made "with reluctance" but insisted a rebuild was necessary.
"He leaves with a Premier League title to his name and our deepest gratitude and appreciation," the club said in a statement.
Liverpool confirmed a search for a new head coach is under way, and 43-year-old Andoni Iraola is the front-runner.
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Iraola, former Bournemouth manager was brought to the Premier League by Richard Hughes, now Liverpool’s sporting director.
He took Bournemouth into the Europa League and finished three points behind Liverpool last season.
Slot’s second campaign was undermined by injuries and adaptation issues.
Liverpool spent a club-record £415m last summer, breaking the British transfer record for Florian Wirtz at £116.5m and Alexander Isak at £125m.
Both struggled and Isak missed long periods through injury while Wirtz failed to settle after his move from Bayer Leverkusen.
At the back, Liverpool conceded 53 goals and were hit by the season-long absence of Giovanni Leoni after his debut.
Off the pitch, the squad was affected by the death of Diogo Jota last summer, while Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure after 20 years at the club removed a key creative outlet from full-back.
Despite the setbacks, Slot handled criticism with restraint even after Salah’s public comments.
"The most special thing I have won was last season’s Premier League title... I will remember how important he was," Slot said.
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