Liverpool Football Club announced on Monday that Feyenoord manager Arne Slot will become their new manager on June 1st, subject to a work permit. Slot, 45, confirmed his move to Anfield at his final pre-match press conference with Feyenoord on Friday.
The Dutchman, who has signed a three-year deal reportedly worth £9.4 million ($12 million) in compensation to Feyenoord, said it was a difficult decision to leave the club where he has experienced so many wonderful moments. However, he described the opportunity to manage in the Premier League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, as one that was difficult to ignore.
Slot, who was linked with a move to Tottenham last year, became Feyenoord boss in 2021 after impressing in his first managerial role at AZ Alkmaar. In his first season, he led the Dutch giants to the inaugural Europa Conference League final, where they lost 1-0 to Jose Mourinho’s Roma. Slot then delivered Feyenoord’s second league title in 24 years last season and also penned a new three-year deal.
Feyenoord have enjoyed a strong season under Slot, winning the Dutch Cup and finishing second in the league behind PSV Eindhoven. Slot’s attacking brand of football has delighted the fans at De Kuip and has won praise from Klopp himself, who described Slot’s team as playing football “the way I like it.”
Liverpool captain and fellow Dutchman Virgil van Dijk has hailed Slot’s attacking mindset, saying it would suit the philosophy at Anfield. Speaking about the future under the new boss, Van Dijk said: “It is all about sticking together and giving him the chance of showing what he is capable of with the other guys who will come in.”
Slot has huge shoes to fill at Anfield after Klopp restored Liverpool to the elite of English and European football during his nine-year reign. Under Klopp’s leadership, Liverpool won a sixth Champions League crown and a 19th league title, as well as a clutch of other trophies.
Initially, Bayer Leverkusen boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso was the favorite to succeed Klopp at Anfield. However, Alonso committed to staying at Leverkusen as he led them to a first-ever Bundesliga title. Liverpool finished third in the Premier League, qualifying for next season’s Champions League, and won the League Cup in Klopp’s final season.
