With Jurgen Klopp set to hand over the mantle at Liverpool at the end of this season, the search for the next manager is already going on at the club. After eight seasons of highs and lows, titles and title challenges, veteran German coach Jurgen Klopp will bid farewell to Liverpool this season. However, Liverpool believes they have found the perfect replacement for Klopp, but the fans don’t seem to agree at all.
Earlier this season, Jurgen Klopp announced that he would be stepping down as Liverpool’s head coach at the end of this season. Klopp has managed to mark an era at the Merseyside club, ending its long wait for the Champions League and the Premier League title. The ex-Borussia Dortmund coach has already won the EFL Cup in his final season, while hopes of the league title seem to be dying soon.
🚨 Liverpool and Feyenoord are currently in good and constructive discussions about compensation fee for Arne Slot.
As mentioned earlier, there’s no release clause but clubs in talks to agree on fee.
Despite initial bid not accepted, discussions remain ongoing with confidence. pic.twitter.com/C7drClgcHo
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 24, 2024
While the club has started its preparations for life after Klopp, the name of Arne Slot has popped up. Slot, who’s currently in charge of the Dutch side Feyenoord, is in talks to become Liverpool‘s new manager. As reported by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool is in talks with Feyenoord to discuss Slot’s potential arrival and his compensation if he decides to join the English giants.
However, if you ask the Liverpool fans, they don’t seem to be in agreement with the club’s management. Several fans have raised doubts over Slot’s potential appointment, as they believe the Dutch coach isn’t the right man to replace Klopp. One fan even commented, “Let the Liverpool downfall begin.” With the 2023-24 season nearing its end, the speculations are increasing rapidly over who will be in charge of the Reds next season.
Arne Slot’s achievements at Feyenoord
While the Liverpool fans continue to have their doubts over Arne Slot, perhaps they have been too fast in judging the Dutch coach. There’s no doubt that Slot is yet to establish himself as a household name in the soccer world. However, the 45-year-old coach has been turning a few heads in the Dutch league with his playing style.
Slot, who joined as Feyenoord’s coach in 2021, led them to the Eredivisie title after a gap of six years. He has also won the KNVB Cup and finished as UEFA Europa Conference League runners-up in 2022. Currently, Slot’s Feyenoord is placed second in the Eredivisie behind PSV.
Arne Slot draws similarities between himself and Pep Guardiola
It’s hard to believe that Liverpool is reportedly considering appointing Arne Slot as their next manager without studying his management style. While Slot is yet to gain popularity, he has garnered a lot of attention for his soccer philosophy which many believe resonates with FC Barcelona.
Indeed, Slot’s Feyenoord has been playing some impressive soccer over the last few seasons. Moreover, his track record of improving youngsters, and achieving success at a relatively small budget has earned him further praise. Moreover, Slot himself has admitted in the past that he shares similar traits as former Barcelona coach and current Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
Arne Slot’s main influence, as for most modern coaches, is Pep Guardiola.
“I don’t want to compare myself with Pep at all but he’s a control freak just like me”
“Guardiola gives me the ultimate pleasure in football. I’d rather watch Man City than any other team in the world.”
— Samuel Dearnley (@SJSamDearnley) November 1, 2023
Slot said, “I don’t want to compare myself with Pep at all, but he’s a control freak just like me.” Even Slot’s former manager Bert Konterman admitted that it appears as if the former has been studying a lot of Barcelona’s games. While it’s too early to draw conclusions, it’s fair to say that it’s also too early to rule out whether Slot can mark an era at Liverpool similar to what Guardiola has done at City.