Odds slashed on unthinkable name to become Liverpool boss after Arne Slot sacking

Odds have been slashed on a shock name becoming Liverpool head coach following Arne Slot’s sacking – and the contender has never managed a Premier League club before.

Slot was relieved of his duties on Saturday (May 30) after guiding Liverpool to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League last term.

Despite winning the title at the first attempt in his maiden campaign, fans and even Reds forward Mohamed Salah voiced their concerns about Slot’s preferred playing style, with the Egyptian posting a statement calling for a return to “heavy metal football” earlier in May.

“I want to see Liverpool go back to being the heavy-metal attacking team that opponents fear and back to being a team that wins trophies,” Salah wrote on social media.

Slot leaves with a respectable record of 66 wins, 18 draws and 29 defeats from 113 matches in charge and remains only the second man – alongside Jürgen Klopp – to win the Premier League with the Merseyside club.

Who will replace Arne Slot at Liverpool?

As things stand, departing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is a heavy favourite to take up the vacancy after guiding the Cherries to a record-high sixth-place finish and Europa League qualification last season.

It has also been widely reported that Liverpool are interested in Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeneß, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner and Lens boss Pierre Sage.

However, as of Sunday morning, a surprise name had emerged as the second favourite behind Iraola, according to Oddschecker.

Pep Lijnders, who previously worked as assistant coach to Klopp as well as a development coach under Brendan Rodgers, is now priced at 9/1 to become Liverpool’s next permanent head coach.

During his time at Anfield, he was credited with playing a key role in Liverpool’s success, helping the club win the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League the following year.

The 43-year-old Dutchman previously managed NEC in 2018 and Red Bull Salzburg in 2024 following his departure from Liverpool.

Lijnders was sacked after just 29 games in charge of Red Bull before returning to the Premier League, this time as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

He helped City win a domestic cup double before his departure was announced in May.

Next permanent Liverpool head coach odds

Andoni Iraola — 1/10

Pep Lijnders — 9/1

Oliver Glasner — 10/1

Pierre Sage — 10/1

Sebastian Hoeness — 11/1

Xabi Alonso — 12/1

Julian Nagelsmann — 14/1

Francesco Farioli — 16/1

Cesc Fabregas — 16/1

Diego Simeone — 16/1

Luis Enrique — 20/1

Steven Gerrard — 20/1

Unai Emery — 20/1

Jurgen Klopp — 20/1

Thomas Frank — 22/1

Xavi — 25/1

Simone Inzaghi — 25/1

Zinedine Zidane — 25/1

Robert De Zerbi — 25/1

Mauricio Pochettino — 25/1

Diego Simone — 28/1

Ruben Amorim — 28/1

Marco Silva — 33/1

Ange Postecoglou — 40/1

Carlo Ancelotti — 40/1

Gareth Southgate — 50/1

Pep Guardiola — 50/1

Eddie Howe — 66/1

Roberto Martinez — 66/1

Julen Lopetegui — 66/1

Brendan Rodgers — 66/1

Thomas Tuchel — 66/1