Arne Slot 'lined up for new job' hours after Liverpool sacking with instant return on

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Arne Slot has emerged as a frontrunner to take charge at AC Milan following his exit from Liverpool . The Reds confirmed in a statement on Saturday that the Dutchman "is to depart his role as head coach with immediate effect" after a dismal conclusion to the 2025/26 season.

Despite securing Champions League football, Liverpool ended the campaign on a four-match winless run, with Slot's side jeered off the pitch in each of their last two home fixtures. Scrutiny over Slot's position at Anfield had been mounting, and Liverpool have now pulled the trigger six days after the Premier League curtain came down.

Former Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola is the overwhelming favourite to step into his shoes, with ex-Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner , Lens' Pierre Sage and Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann also in contention for the Anfield hot seat. As Liverpool begin their search for a new manager, Slot could find himself back in the dugout sooner than expected.

According to the Daily Mail , the Dutchman is already being considered as a leading candidate for the AC Milan job. Milan are hunting for a replacement for Massimiliano Allegri after dismissing the Italian following their 2-1 defeat to Cagliari last Sunday - a result that cost the club their place in next season's Champions League.

Il Rossoneri were on course to secure a return to Europe's premier club competition for much of the season, but fell away during the latter stages of the campaign and ultimately finished fifth, just one point behind fourth-place Como after managing only two wins in eight matches. As a result, Milan are now set to feature in the Europa League in 2026/27, alongside Juventus , who finished a single point adrift in sixth place.

Following the defeat to Cagliari, Milan axed head coach Allegri, sporting director Igli Tare, CEO Giorgio Furlani and technical director Geoffrey Moncada in a damning statement released on Monday. With Antonio Conte , Glasner, Marcelino and Unai Emery high on Milan's shortlist to succeed Allegri, Slot has emerged as another name being considered to join I Rossoneri ahead of next season.

Milan have held talks with Iraola, who left Bournemouth last Sunday, but he is holding out for a call from Liverpool.

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The Rossoneri do not require permission from Liverpool to approach Slot, as it is believed the terms of his exit leave him free to hold discussions with clubs, though the key question remains whether he will take some time away to recharge his batteries first.

Slot, who took over from Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool's head coach in 2024, claimed the Premier League title in his debut season at the helm. However, having splashed out more than £400million on transfer fees, the Reds faltered in his second campaign and his dismissal this summer appeared all but inevitable.

"It's been an amazing ride, I am so grateful that we were able to win the league last season," Slot said in a brief message after his Liverpool exit was announced.

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