Eight months on from Arne Slot's move from Liverpool to Feyenoord, his former club once again find themselves between coaches. Replacement Brian Priske has been sacked as the Reds continue to showcase just what the Dutch Eredivisie side are now missing.

Liverpool's hierarchy undertook a thorough recruitment process during the 2023/24 season as it became known Anfield favourite Jurgen Klopp was to step down. Xabi Alonso spearheaded the list of names linked with the job over the months, yet when the outgoing manager spectacularly led supporters in chanting his successor's name on the final day of the season, it was one relatively unheard of.

Fast-forward to February 2025 and Klopp's successor Slot, 46, has the Reds top of the Premier League, in prime condition in the Champions League and through to the Carabao Cup final. The only flaw of major note came in the FA Cup on Sunday as the Reds were surprisingly knocked out by Championship outfit Plymouth, but that can hardly detract from the impressive start to the new era.

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Meanwhile in Rotterdam, Priske was charged with following Slot's mega act in the Netherlands. He would have been known to the Anfield faithful for managing Sparta Prague on the wrong end of an 11-2 Europa League round of 16 aggregate drubbing last term.

Slot had left him with a successful team of Eredevisie and KNVB Cup winners, though, unfortunately, that project has shown signs of disintegration whilst their former coach has soared to new heights in England.

On Monday, a blunt statement read: "Feyenoord and Brian Priske part ways with immediate effect

"Feyenoord is saying goodbye to head coach Brian Priske in good consultation. Very inconsistent results and a lack of chemistry are reasons for the departure of the head coach."

Technical director Dennis te Kloese commented: "It is very disappointing for all parties that we had to come to this decision. Although Feyenoord has certainly achieved impressive results with Brian in the UEFA Champions League, the past few months have been far too inconsistent and we unfortunately see too little structural progress.

"As a professional and as a person, I still hold Brian in high regard. Sometimes, however, you have to conclude that despite everyone's good intentions and intentions, it does not work, and at a certain point there is no longer enough support within all levels to continue."

Losing captain Lutsharel Geertruida in a transfer to RB Leipzig was a first step on a downwards trajectory - one that was followed by star striker Santiago Gimenez to AC Milan in the recent winter window.

Now although former Danish international Priske had won the Johan Cruyff Shield at the season's start, he has been given his marching orders with Feyenoord fifth in their domestic league, 12 points adrift of joint-leaders Ajax and PSV Eindhoven, and therefore out of the European qualification places.

They were knocked out of the KNVB Cup at the quarter-final stage by PSV last week and are two days away from a Champions League play-off first leg vs AC Milan.