Former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has publicly called for the sacking of current manager Arne Slot, citing a series of concerning statistics and a perceived lack of progress under the Dutchman. Pennant suggested Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola would be an ideal replacement, praising his recent success in guiding the club to a potential European finish. The comments come amid reports from TEAMtalk that Liverpool’s owners, FSG, are harbouring ‘very serious concerns’ about Slot’s future despite initial indications he would be retained.
Pennant, speaking to talkSPORT, highlighted Liverpool’s record-breaking number of goals conceded and losses during the 2025/26 campaign as evidence of the team’s decline. He argued that the club’s substantial £440 million investment in new players last summer has not yielded the desired results, describing the current situation as unacceptable. He also pointed to recent comments from Mohamed Salah as validation of the team’s struggles, suggesting the Egyptian was simply stating the obvious.
The former Reds player further criticised Slot’s tactical approach, claiming the team is playing like a mid-table side, lacking aggression and a clear attacking threat. He questioned whether another significant financial outlay on new players would even address the fundamental issues within the squad. Pennant believes Iraola’s success at Bournemouth, including a recent victory against Arsenal, demonstrates his ability to motivate players and achieve positive results even with limited resources.
In a more ambitious suggestion, Pennant also floated the possibility of Liverpool pursuing Pep Guardiola, whose expected departure from Manchester City has sparked speculation about his future. While acknowledging Guardiola’s long association with City, Pennant expressed a willingness to overlook that factor, emphasizing the Spaniard’s proven track record of success and attractive playing style. The comments reflect growing discontent with Slot’s performance and a desire for a significant change in leadership at Anfield.
