01/06/2026

SPORTS MONDAY | JUNE 1, 2026

31

Right move Gerrard gutted but understands why Reds sacked Slot

Ű BY ALAN SMITH

Five contenders for Liverpool job

F ORMER Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said he is “gutted” that Arne Slot has been sacked as head coach despite the team appearing “dis jointed and broken” towards the end of the Dutchman’s two-year reign at Anfield. The Reds confirmed the departure of Slot on Saturday, a week on from recording a fifth-place finish in the Premier League. That may have been enough to ensure Champions League football next season but, with the criticism of Mohamed Salah still echoing following a string of bad performances, the club have decided to make a change. Andoni Iraola, who has decided to leave Bournemouth, is the early frontrunner to take over, with Gerrard believing that the Basque coach could be an ideal fit on Merseyside. “Not surprised, gutted for Arne Slot,” Gerrard told TNT Sports during their build up to yesterday’s Champions League final

Ű BY JACK RATHBORN

LIVERPOOL are searching for a new manager after sacking Arne Slot following a disastrous Premier League title defence. With Slot ruthlessly dismissed, one parting gift was that the new coach will have Champions League foot ball, with the Dutch coach able to navigate a testing finale to the campaign despite a challenge to hold onto a top-five finish, though they fell by 24 points from the peak of the title-winning season. Ultimately, the Reds decided the team needed to evolve and made what is understood to be an extremely difficult decision for the club, with a debt of gratitude for delivering a Premier League title just 12 months ago.Now attention turns to a market with options, but one clear candidate might have been Xabi Alonso, though the former Liverpool midfielder, sacked by Real Madrid in January, ultimately opted to join Chelsea with the decision over Slot yet to be final ised earlier this month. “That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying. The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and – most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves – suc cessful,” read a club statement. “As such, our appreciation for everything he has achieved could not be greater, particularly as it was underpinned by a work ethic, a diligence and a level of expertise which further underlined our view that he is a leader in his field.” Here are the contenders to become Liverpool’s new manager after a seismic decision from the Reds on the day of the Champions League final: Andoni Iraola Some betting firms have already stopped taking bets on Iraola becoming the next boss, with his appointment seemingly all but guaranteed. A wonderful job at Bournemouth, clinching Europa League football with a sixth-place finish off the back of a remarkable 18-game unbeaten streak to conclude the season. Iraola also adapted to key exits last summer, with the Spanish boss now eager to try a new challenge. Liverpool would offer a step up for Iraola, who could bring a new look to Anfield, with his tactical versatility. Sebastian Hoeness The Stuttgart boss has quickly become one of the most highly-rated coaches in Europe. Fourth place in the Bundesliga confirmed Champions League qualifi cation and the next step could be Anfield. The credentials are there from a football philoso phy point of view, with possession highly coveted, though some may draw comparisons with his empha sis on pressing, too, or “heavy metal” style that Mohamed Salah pushed for in his fiery statement ear lier this month, likely to be appreciated at Anfield. Julian Nagelsmann Occupied with Germany at the World Cup, but a manager, despite his age, at just 38 years old, who has immense experience and a clear identity. That could be tweaked and honed at Anfield. Long since linked with Premier League jobs, could Liverpool be the right fit now after Germany’s involve ment in USA, Canada and Mexico? Jurgen Klopp Still a premature time to make his triumphant return, just two years after his emotional departure, but Klopp would create immense excitement and allow fans to dream of an immediate return to con tention for the top prizes in the game. Perhaps too soon for him to dive back in, having become Red Bull’s Head of Global Football in 2024. Steven Gerrard Could the Reds opt for their legendary ex-captain to rally the club? Gerrard has been without a club since leaving Al-Ettifaq last year and is short of cre dentials as a manager, though his aura around Anfield could inspire the change required after the malaise set in under Slot. The Independent

between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. “He did an incredible job, taking the reigns from Jurgen Klopp, it was a tough task and big shoes to fill, and I think he did it seamlessly. “It’s very difficult to win the Premier League, I know that more than most, that can’t be forgotten. He’ll be remembered forever. “Having said that, the last 10 games of last season and the majority of this season, we haven’t looked like Liverpool. It’s been difficult to watch at times. It looked disjointed and broken. “When I got the news, it’s surprise and shock, but when you analyse it properly, it’s

probably the right time. “We’ve been around the game long enough to know how the process works. I’d be very surprised if they made that decision and thought, ‘Oh, what next?’ Liverpool don’t work like that, they are an organised machine. “It’s the right time. The new guy will get a pre season, the chance to recruit players – as a manager, it’s the best time to go in. Reset everyone. “I’ll be extremely surprised if the people above Arne Slot have started, three or four hours ago, looking for a new successor.” Pushed on whether he thinks Iraola, who guided Bournemouth to next season’s Europa League despite announcing his intent to leave the south coast club several months ago, Gerrard added: “I think potentially, yes (Iraola is the right man for Liverpool). “He’s done a fabulous job at Bournemouth, his style would suit Liverpool, let’s not beat around the bush, Liverpool is an attractive job for managers around the world. “But because of the link to Bournemouth, they will know him very well. It’s a huge job in world football, potentially, I think he should be in the conversation.” – The Independent

SHORTS

JDT players and staff celebrate their Super League triumph during the ‘JDT: Realm of 12’ celebration at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Saturday. – BERNAMAPIC

375/26

31/05/2026

5984 0396 2505

3716 5117 8195 7033 4035

1992 9024 2386 0896 8411

9256 0452 9082 2113 4207

2631 1959 5539 3767 5772

RM19,076,137.21

5984 + 2505 0396 + 2505 2505 + 0396

5984 + 0396 0396 + 5984 2505 + 5984

JDT celebrate with fireworks, drone show JOHOR DARUL TA’ZIM’S (JDT) achievement of winning the Super League title for a 12th consecutive season was celebrated in grand fashion yesterday night with a fireworks display and an illuminated drone show during the “JDT Realm of 12” celebration at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri, Johor. The Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who is also the owner of JDT, arrived together with his wife, Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Johor. The Super League trophy presentation ceremony was officiated by Malaysian Football League (MFL) president Datuk Ab Ghani Hassan, accompanied by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. A total of 32,230 supporters packed the stadium to witness the celebration, which also featured performances by international artistes including 50 Cent, Onefour, Big Ben, as well as dance groups Jabbawockeez and The Royal Family. The celebration was further enlivened by a variety of activities through the FanFest carnival held throughout the day, including performances by local artistes such as Ella, Cherpen, Orkes A. Hizadin, K.O.I, Def Jam Malaysia featuring Lil J and Killa Driz, SonaOne, Plague of Happiness, as well as lucky draws. The ‘JDT Realm of 12’ celebration was also broadcast on a giant screen at the FanFest area within the stadium.

KLBA want Cheras training base THE Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association (KLBA) plans to hold discussions with Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh as part of efforts to make the Cheras Badminton Arena in Kuala Lumpur its permanent training centre. Its president Datuk Seri Dr Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos said the association would also arrange a meeting with Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud in a bid to resolve this longstanding issue. “It’s in the pipeline (meeting with Yeoh), but ultimately it will go back to the Mayor because all assets in Kuala Lumpur fall under the Mayor’s jurisdiction. “So if the Mayor and the relevant committee are willing to work together to advance badminton development in Kuala Lumpur, they will help. Therefore, we pray and remain hopeful,” he told a press conference after the KLBA annual general meeting here today. Asked why the issue had dragged on for so long, Jahaberdeen said it could be due to bureaucratic hurdles, but expressed hope that their meetings with Hannah and Fadlun would yield positive results. Last November, Jahaberdeen was reported as saying that four years of negotiations with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to make the Cheras Badminton Arena KLBA’s training centre had yet to reach a conclusion.

RM544,944.79

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RM10,907,488.79

RM146,159.99

8 4 9 6 0 5 84960

49605

8496

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849

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