After it was reported that Arne Slot will take over as manager of Liverpool in place of Jurgen Klopp, the former coach of Feyenoord acknowledged it was hard to refuse “one of the biggest clubs in the world.”
According to information obtained by the PA news agency, Slot has agreed to a three-year contract and will officially take over on June 1st, subject to obtaining a work permit. Slot will be the club’s first head coach as opposed to manager.
Jurgen Klopp will be replaced at Anfield by Arne Slot.
In a speech, Jurgen Klopp supported Arne Slot to succeed him.
“It is certainly not an easy decision to close the door behind you at a club where you have experienced so many wonderful moments, and worked so successfully with so many wonderful people,” Slot wrote in a farewell address to Feyenoord supporters on the team’s official website.
But it’s hard to turn down the chance to lead one of the top clubs in the world as a head coach in the Premier League as a sportsman. Feyenoord’s willingness to work with me during this transition is greatly appreciated.
A few weeks ago, Liverpool’s thorough investigation determined that the 45-year-old was their top choice, and his eagerness to start the position facilitated a prompt appointment.
Since Liverpool paid Feyenoord £9.4 million to gain his services, Slot’s move has been well known. On Friday, during his last pre-game news conference at the Eredivisie club, Slot announced that Anfield was his next destination.
Due to the fact that several other elite European teams were also seeking to hire managers this summer, Liverpool was eager to replace Klopp as soon as possible.
Owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) were drawn to Slot because they feel he has a track record of exceeding expectations at AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord, can bring out the best in players, and has a distinct football identity. Additionally, he takes a comprehensive and collegiate approach that is in line with their philosophy.
Due to the recent restructuring of the football department, which included the return of two former sporting directors, Michael Edwards and Julian Ward, as chief executive of football and technical director of FSG, respectively, he is now part of the new head coach structure.
Richard Hughes, the new sporting director, was hired from Bournemouth and will start work on June 1.
During his farewell address at Anfield, Klopp asked the supporters to fully back Slot.
“Just as you greeted me, you also greet the new management. You commit fully from the start. As he chanted Slot’s name to the tune of Opus’ Live is Life—one of the songs the crowd had customized for the German—Klopp said, “And you keep believing and you push the team.”
After joining Feyenoord in 2021, Slot helped the team win their first Eredivisie title in six years in 2023 and the inaugural Europa Conference League final the following year.
“I cherish those memories,” Slot continued, “because Feyenoord is the club where I was able to celebrate the first major successes in my career as a trainer and where I experienced many great matches.”
And I will undoubtedly keep supporting the team as a football fan, in part because I think Rotterdam still has a lot of amazing things in store for us. I want the best for Feyenoord and everyone who supports this amazing team in the future.
