Arne Slot sees leading Liverpool as a great career opportunity, and will begin preparing for the new season in early June.
On the Feyenoord homepage on May 20, Slot admitted that parting ways with this Dutch team was a difficult decision, after so many memories and successes together. “But as a sports person, I cannot miss the opportunity to become a coach at one of the biggest clubs in the world in the Premier League,” he added.
On the same day, Liverpool confirmed Slot to succeed Jurgen Klopp. According to Sky Sports , the two sides signed a three-year contract, starting from June 1.
Slot said goodbye to Feyenoord fans after the 4-0 win over Excelsior in the final round of the Dutch championship on May 19 at De Kuip Stadium. Photo: ANP
In January, Klopp announced his farewell to Liverpool after the end of the 2023-2024 season. Initially, Liverpool wanted to recruit Xabi Alonso from Leverkusen, but was refused. They then decided to skip Roberto De Zerbi and Ruben Amorim to choose Slot.
On May 19, after leading Liverpool for the last time in a 2-0 win over Wolves, Klopp chanted Arne Slot’s name and asked fans to welcome the new coach as they welcomed him. Klopp also likes his successor’s attacking tactics.
Another former Liverpool coach, Rafa Benitez, also called on the team’s fans to support Slot. In addition, he advised the new coach to spend time learning about the culture of the city and English football culture.
“An important aspect of working in England is dealing with the media,” added the coach who won the 2005 Champions League with Liverpool. “You cannot ignore what is said or written about the team. Sometimes you need to know what the experts are saying, because you will be asked about it in press conferences.”
Slot started his coaching career at Cambuur, before moving to AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord. With three Dutch clubs, the 45-year-old coach all had a win rate of at least 55%. Slot once brought Feyenoord to the 2021-2022 Conference League final, won the 2022-2023 Dutch championship and won the 2023-2024 Dutch Cup.
Taking over Liverpool, Slot will be under great pressure from its massive achievements list and the shadow of its predecessor. Working at Anfield since the end of 20015, Klopp and the team have won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, English Super Cup, European Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and two Federation Cups.
