ANDJürgen Klopp’s replacement now seems defined. It will be Arne Slot (Bergentheim, 1978) who, barring a surprise, will occupy the Anfield bench.
Liverpool and FeyenoordThey are already negotiating the transfer of the former AZ Alkmaar coach. Slot, for its part, lets itself be loved: “I hope the clubs reach an agreement.”
Klopp announces that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season
What remained to be known, however, was the opinion of one of the most authoritative voices in the ‘network’ code, that of Jürgen Klopp himself, who did not hesitate to grant him his blessing: “I am not involved in this matter. I would very much like, however, for Arne to accept the position. I like the style of their teams and “All I hear from him is that he’s a good guy and a good coach.”
I am not involved in this matter. I would very much like, however, for Arne to accept the position
Jurgen Klopp
What’s more, the former Borussia Dortmund and Mainz coach encouraged Slot to accept the ‘Pool’ proposal: “This is the best job in the world. It is the best club in the world. Great work, great team and fantastic people.”
This is the best job in the world. It is the best club in the world
Jurgen Klopp
From ‘no’ to Tottenham… to ‘yes’ to Liverpool
In a year, Arne Slot has gone from being a candidate for the Tottenham bench to being the ‘number 1’ target to succeed Klopp at Anfield. The 45-year-old Dutch coach is supported, above all, his recent career with Feyenoord.
However, Slot, represented by Rafaela Pimenta, the ‘heiress’ of the ‘Raiola Empire’, was ‘a teacher before he was a friar’. As a player – he acted as a midfielder – He played more than 400 games and scored a hundred goals during his time at FC Zwolle (1995-2002), NAC Breda (2002-07), Sparta Rotterdam (2007-09), FC Zwolle (2009-10) and PEC Zwolle (2010-13).
In 2016-17 he made his debut as a coach at Cambuur. From there he moved to AZ as assistant to John van den Brom. His big leap, however, came when took the reins, already as ‘first sword’ of the Alkmaar team in 2019-20. COVID-19 precipitated the cancellation of the Eredivisie -the champion was deserted- when his team was tied on points in the lead with Ajax… although with worse goal difference.
From AZ, surprisingly, he left abruptly. His team terminated his contract in the middle of 2020-21 upon learning that he was negotiating with Feyenoord for the following season.. In Rotterdam it ended up being surpassed with the “pressure, the commitment to young talents and the management of the group” as signs of identity. In his debut, in 2021-22, he led Feyenoord to the final of the Conference League: lost the final (1-0) against Mourinho’s Roma.
Last year he touched the sky. Despite having lost key figures such as Sinisterra, Senesi, Malacia and Aursnes, made Feyenoord champion six years later. This campaign they have once again ‘tasted metal’: last week they won the Cup against NEC Nijmegen (1-0). It is not surprising, therefore, that, On two occasions, he has received the Rinus Michels award (2021-22 and 2022-23) for ‘Best Coach’ of the year in the Netherlands.
While Slot finishes arriving, Klopp will fight to speed up Liverpool’s chances – greatly diminished after the defeats against Everton (2-0) and Crystal Palace (0-1) – of winning the Premier. The Reds are third, two points behind City and three behind Arsenal. The ‘sky blues’, yes, have one less game.
