Liverpool in advanced talks with Iraola

Liverpool are in advanced talks with Andoni Iraola as they look to appoint a new head coach following the sacking of Arne Slot.

Iraola left Bournemouth at the end of the season and is the clear favourite for the role at Anfield.

Liverpool are keen to make an appointment at the earliest possible opportunity and want a manager who fits their preferred playing style, which is to deliver front-foot, aggressive football.

No approaches have yet been made with regard to Iraola’s potential coaching staff, but the 43-year-old Spaniard is keen on bringing his assistant at Bournemouth, Tommy Elphick, a lifelong Liverpool fan, with him.

BBC Sport understands that Elphick has had no contact yet from the Reds but would be interested in the opportunity.

The former Bournemouth centre-back, 38, turned down the opportunity to become the Bristol City manager last week in order to assess his other options.

The hiring process at Anfield is being led by Richard Hughes, Liverpool’s sporting director, who previously worked with Iraola at the Cherries.

The Reds sacked Slot on Saturday, just a year after the Dutchman guided them to the Premier League title.

Silva to leave Fulham as he closes in on Benfica move

Fulham manager Marco Silva has confirmed he will leave the Cottagers after five years in charge, with the 48-year-old close to agreeing a deal to take over at Benfica.

Silva’s contract expires at the end of June and uncertainty surrounded his future during the final months of the season.

The Portuguese had been offered a new three-year deal with the club keen to keep him.

Silva, who had previously managed Hull City, Watford and Everton in England, was appointed in 2021 when Fulham were in the Championship.

He steered the London club to promotion in his first season and has since established them as a Premier League side.

Victory over Newcastle on the final day sealed an 11th-placed finish in this year’s top flight.

Fulham finished 10th, 13th and 11th in his other Premier League seasons in charge.

“After five years, our journey together comes to an end,” said Silva in an open letter to fans.

“To our fans - I asked you, from day one, to always be with us. And that’s what you did these past five years. We achieved a lot together.

“My staff and I always felt your support. It will never be forgotten. Fulham will always be in my heart, and sooner or later I will be back at Craven Cottage.”

Fulham owner Shahid Khan said the Cottagers and Silva “were an excellent fit” but that “change is inevitable in this game, and we’ve accordingly prepared for this moment”.

He added: “The talent in our squad, our historic home ground of Craven Cottage, our faithful supporters, and my commitment to backing the club, all make Fulham an extraordinarily attractive destination for an incoming head coach.

“We will soon appoint a new leader in a timely but deliberate manner, who will meet the standards of our club and expectations of our fans throughout the world.”

It is understood that discussions between Silva and Benfica have progressed significantly in recent days, with an agreement within reach.

Benfica are looking to appoint a successor to Jose Mourinho, who has left the club and signed a three-year deal to become Real Madrid’s new head coach.

Sir Kenny Dalglish undergoing treatment for cancer

Scotland, Liverpool and Celtic great Sir Kenny Dalglish is undergoing treatment for cancer.

The legendary forward and former manager wanted to keep the news private but confirmed the diagnosis after accidentally sharing the news initially in an “inadvertent social media post”.

“I am currently undergoing treatment for cancer,” Dalglish, 75, wrote on social media. “Unlike my mobile phone use, the treatment is going well.

“Ideally, this would have remained private because that’s the way it should be, but my useless technology skills have forced my hand.

“Obviously I did not mean to make this matter public so I would appreciate it if the privacy of my family and myself are respected.

“As ever, thank you to the wonderful medical staff who have shown incredible care and discretion, not just for me but for many, many others. They are a credit to themselves.”

The former forward scored 30 goals - a joint national record alongside Denis Law - in 102 appearances for Scotland and is the country’s most capped player.

He scored 167 goals in 320 appearances for Celtic between 1969 and 1977, winning four league titles and four Scottish Cups.

Dalglish signed for Liverpool for a British record fee of £440,000 and spearheaded a golden era for the club, winning three European Cups and eight First Division titles across his 515 appearances.

He was appointed player-manager with the Reds in 1985, a spell in which he also guided Liverpool to two FA Cups, as well as leading the club through the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.

He later went on to manage Blackburn - where he won the Premier League in 1995 - Newcastle, Celtic and Liverpool again in 2011-2012.

In a statement, Liverpool said: “The support, best wishes and love of everyone at Liverpool FC are, and will be, with Sir Kenny and his family. The club would also like to underscore his request for privacy moving forward.”

Ian Rush, who played alongside Dalglish at Liverpool, posted: “The King is one of the strongest and most positive people I’ve ever known. If anyone can face this battle with courage and determination, it’s King Kenny. We’re all behind you.”

The news emerged a day after another Liverpool great, Kevin Keegan, revealed he has stage four cancer.

I leave Liverpool exactly where it belongs - Slot

Arne Slot says he is leaving Liverpool “exactly where it belongs: among Europe’s elite” after he was sacked as head coach on Saturday.

The Dutchman, 47, won the Premier League title in his first campaign but was dismissed by the club’s hierarchy after the Reds finished fifth in the league this season, 25 points behind champions Arsenal.

Liverpool will open formal talks with former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola this week over becoming their new head coach.

In an emotional open letter published in the Liverpool Echo, Slot said fans made him feel welcome from the start and helped him on his path. “That is something I cherish,” he added.

“I leave with complete confidence in what lies ahead.”

“The players who have given so much to this club, who have upheld its values and helped create so many unforgettable moments, have built foundations that will endure.”

Despite suffering 20 defeats in all competitions, Slot secured Liverpool’s place in next season’s Champions League.

“Securing Champions League football was an important responsibility and one that ensures Liverpool can continue competing at the highest level next season and beyond,” he added.

“Change is part of football, but I know that this club will continue to make its people proud.”

“When I first stood beneath that sign in the Anfield tunnel, I knew what this club demanded. I leave knowing we never stopped striving for it.”

Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool boss in 2024 after the German stepped down after nine years as manager.

He made a dream start to his tenure as coach when he delivered the club’s 20th league title in front of the home supporters at Anfield with four games to spare.

“It was made even more meaningful because you got to enjoy it with us,” said Slot. “Singing our songs, cheering the goals. And on the day we lifted the trophy, you were there - lining the streets outside the stadium, filling Anfield in anticipation.”

“Having had much of that taken from you in 2020, it was never lost on me how much it mattered that you were part of it all.”

“Seeing you come together in your hundreds of thousands on the streets of Liverpool for the title celebrations only reinforced that idea.”

“Liverpool’s 20th league title belongs to all of us and it will remain an important chapter in its history. For that we should all be proud.”

“This club will always judge itself by the biggest honours. That is how it should be.”

In his letter, Slot paid tribute to the late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash alongside his brother Andre Silva as the players were preparing to return for pre-season training last summer.

The Dutchman said Jota’s passing was “indescribable”, but added “the love, compassion and support shown by the Liverpool family was extraordinary”.

Slot said: “As I leave this club, it would be remiss of me not to say that the way you honoured Diogo and stood together in his memory will stay with me forever.”

“The connection we share goes beyond football, beyond European nights under the Anfield lights or the sound of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ being sung from The Kop.”

Slot also told fans he was “privileged to witness first-hand your spirit of compassion and unity” during the club’s trophy parade in May 2025, when Paul Doyle drove his car through the crowds on Water Street in the city centre.

Doyle was jailed for 21 years and six months in December for charges including dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent.

“It is a spirit that has carried this city through difficult moments before, and one that I hope will help bring the justice and accountability so many have campaigned for over many years,” he added.

Keegan reveals stage four cancer diagnosis

Former England captain and manager Kevin Keegan has revealed he has stage four cancer.

Stage four is the most advanced stage of cancer, and means the disease has spread to other parts of the body.

Keegan’s family originally disclosed he was battling cancer in January, after the 75-year-old had “further evaluation of ongoing abdominal symptoms” in hospital.

The football world has since rallied around the two-time European footballer of the year, who has been undergoing treatment in recent months.

In one of his first public appearances since the news, Keegan was handed an emotional standing ovation as he returned to Newcastle for a live event.

“I was in a car accident and, through that, I had to have an operation,” the ex-Newcastle United forward and manager said on stage at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House.

“Whilst having the scan for the operation, they found out I had cancer. They said they had an absolute top doctor for fighting what you have got, which is stage four cancer.

“So I went to meet him. He’s a Liverpool supporter so I knew I wouldn’t walk alone.

“He said, ‘Kevin, this new treatment, I’ve got a tremendous strike rate’. I said, ‘What’s your strike rate?’ He said, ‘33%’. I thought it would be 80%, 90%. 33%!

“I’m still here at the moment.”

Keegan enjoyed spells at Scunthorpe United, Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle as a player during an illustrious career.

He later went on to have stints in charge of Newcastle, Fulham, England and Manchester City as a manager.

Keegan is one of the most transformational figures in Newcastle’s history, the mastermind behind the Entertainers, who challenged for the Premier League title in 1996.

Such is his status, current head coach Eddie Howe even reached out to Keegan when he got the Newcastle job in 2021 to try and get the inside track on the club and the mindset he needed to succeed.

Howe has just endured a bruising league season after the Magpies slipped to 12th place in the Premier League table.

But Keegan is firmly behind the “first manager to win anything since most of us have been alive” after he lifted the League Cup last season.

An open invitation remains for Keegan to return to St James’ Park and, though he was conscious of “intruding”, the club legend reiterated he “wants to say goodbye”.

Keegan felt he “never got the chance to” after winning his case for constructive dismissal when former owner Mike Ashley was in charge in 2009.

However, he has no thirst for a statue to be placed outside the ground.

“You will have to wait until I die, I’m afraid,” he added.

“I’m not against the statues that are outside at all, but it’s not something that really means that much to me.

“My statue is the way you receive me.”

In a statement, Newcastle sent their “heartfelt support” and “warmest wishes” to Keegan and his family following his diagnosis.

“Kevin holds a unique and cherished place in the history of Newcastle United, and in the hearts of our supporters,” it read.

“His passion, leadership and connection to the club and city have shaped some of our most memorable moments.

“Everyone at the club is behind Kevin and sends strength and best wishes to him and his family for the journey ahead.

“Kevin will always be warmly welcomed at St James’ Park and we hope to see him again soon.”