Liverpool sacked head coach Arne Slot on Saturday after a disastrous defence of their Premier League title.

The club, which finished fifth in the table, despite spending a Premier League record of nearly £450 million ($605 million) on new players in one transfer window last year, said the Dutchman, who has been at Anfield for two seasons, would “depart his role as head coach with immediate effect”.

Liverpool fans turned on Slot after a number of poor performances, and there was some disharmony in the dressing room, with Mohamed Salah the most outspoken.

“Liverpool FC can confirm Arne Slot is to depart his role as head coach with immediate effect and that the process to appoint a successor is underway,” the club said in a statement.

It added that club bosses had decided that Liverpool needed a change of direction.

“That does not diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him,” the statement added.

“Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it is indicative of the need for a different approach.

“Arne leaves with our gratitude, with a Premier League title to his name, and with the knowledge that he and his family will always be welcomed back at Anfield.”

“We have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward. Again, it must be stressed that this is not a decision which has been reached lightly, anything but,” the club said in a statement.

Outgoing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is reportedly set to take over at Anfield after leading the Cherries into Europe for the first time in the club’s history.

Iraola’s stock is high after an 18-game unbeaten league run to finish the campaign in sixth, just three points behind Liverpool despite vastly inferior resources.