Slot Arne succeeds Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool coach

Liverpool FC has confirmed Dutchman, Arne Slot, as the successor to their Manager, Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool made the confirmation in a statement published on its website on Monday, May 20, 2024.

Slot, a former Feyenoord coach, will assume role as the club’s head coach, after signing a three-year contract.

It was learnt that the Dutchman will officially take over on June 1, barring any work permit hitches.

The statement reads in part:

“The Netherlands-born coach will arrive after three highly successful seasons with Feyenoord…

“He led them to the league title in 2023 and was named Eredivisie Manager of the Year on two occasions.

“More recently, he helped the Rotterdam club to victory in the KNVB Cup in April after they defeated NEC Nijmegen 1-0 in the final.

“Prior to moving to Feyenoord, Slot held the position of AZ Alkmaar head coach…

“He had led them to second place in the table, trailing leaders Ajax only on goal difference, when the Dutch season was cancelled due to COVID-19 in 2019-20.

“During his playing career, he operated primarily as a midfielder, turning out for FC Zwolle, NAC Breda, Sparta Rotterdam and PEC Zwolle before hanging up his boots in 2013.

“He will now soon become the first head coach of Liverpool FC from the Netherlands – with his first pre-season in charge of the squad set to get under way in July.

About Arne Slot

Arend Martijn “Arne” Slot is a Dutch professional football manager and former player.

The 45-year-old has just been appointed the think-tank of Premier League club, Liverpool.

Playing Career

Slot began his football journey at amateur side VV Bergentheim before moving to FC Zwolle, where he made his debut in the first team at just 17 years old in 1995.

Despite initially struggling with injuries and limited playing time, Slot eventually established himself as a goal-scoring attacking midfielder at FC Zwolle.

In 2002, FC Zwolle won the Eerste Divisie (second division) and returned to the Eredivisie (top division) after 13 years.

Slot then joined NAC Breda, where he played under manager Henk ten Cate.

NAC Breda finished fourth in the Eredivisie during Slot’s first season, their best league finish since 1956.

He also had a brief stint in European football, playing in the UEFA Cup for NAC Breda.

After spells at Sparta Rotterdam and another return to FC Zwolle, Slot retired as a player at PEC Zwolle, where he won another Eerste Divisie title in 2012.

Coaching Career

Slot transitioned to coaching after retiring from playing. He started in the academy of PEC Zwolle and later became an assistant coach at SC Cambuur.

In 2017, he joined AZ as an assistant coach and later became the head coach in 2019.

Slot’s managerial success continued when he took over as head coach of Feyenoord in 2021.

In his first season, he led the club to the 2022 UEFA Europa Conference League final.

Subsequently, Feyenoord won the Eredivisie and the KNVB Cup under his guidance.

Now, his set to take charge at Liverpool, succeeding Klopp at Anfield.

Liverpool pay £9.4 million to Feyenoord

Liverpool agreed to pay £9.4 million compensation to Feyenoord to secure the services of Arne Slot.

Slot confirmed during his final pre-match press conference on Friday that Anfield was his next destination.

Liverpool searched extensively for Klopp’s successor.

The search included sophisticated data analysis, character and performance research, market assessment, performance evaluation, as well as other indicators.

His job title of head coach means he fits into the new football structure which had an overhaul in the last few months.

When asked what his job title might be at Anfield, Slot replied:

“I’m not interested in what you call me: you can call me Arne, head coach or manager.

“I don’t care as long as I can do what I like and that is being with the players on the pitch, working with them and being at the games as that is the most special.”

Meanwhile, in his departing speech to Anfield, Klopp urged Liverpool fans to support Slot as they did him.

Klopp said: “You welcome the new manager like you welcomed me.

“You go all-in from the first day. And you keep believing and you push the team.”

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