Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit has launched a scathing critique of Liverpool's decision-making hierarchy, branding the club's sacking of Arne Slot as a critical error in judgment. The Dutch tactician, who himself managed Chelsea during his playing days, expressed bewilderment at the Reds' choice to part ways with Slot despite the manager's Premier League title triumph in his debut 2024/25 season—a remarkable achievement that should have cemented his position at Anfield.
Speaking to ComeOn, Gullit questioned the wisdom of dismantling a winning setup so swiftly. "I think Liverpool have made a mistake getting rid of Arne Slot," he declared, before issuing a broader warning about the club's trajectory. "A club like Liverpool cannot create this sacking culture, getting rid of a manager a year after he came in and won the Premier League. We see it at other clubs, but now at Liverpool, and it makes me question who is responsible for it." The legendary manager's comments underscore growing concerns about the philosophical direction of the Merseyside outfit under Fenway Sports Group's stewardship.
Gullit further argued that Liverpool's summer transfer activity, while impressive on paper, cannot compensate for managerial instability. "They signed all these good players, but that doesn't mean that they can have instant success. It's too difficult to work in that way," he explained, drawing parallels to his own Chelsea tenure. "At Chelsea, we signed Gianfranco Zola, Roberto Di Matteo, and Frank Leboeuf, but that was because I knew exactly what I wanted, and I knew the players that I needed to come in. They were my spine. But you need to be lucky as a manager, and I was."
Slot's exit followed a turbulent second season that saw Liverpool slump to fifth place in the Premier League whilst accumulating 20 defeats across all competitions. Beyond the deteriorating results, tactical disagreements emerged, alongside questions over Slot's approach to academy development and his standing with senior players. Mohamed Salah's reported push for Liverpool to embrace a more aggressive, attacking philosophy—what the forward termed "heavy metal football"—further intensified pressure on the manager, ultimately catalyzing the boardroom's contentious decision to move in a fresh direction.