White smoke from Anfield. “It is clear that I would like” to coach Liverpool, said Arne Slot on Thursday, on ESPN, declaring himself “confident” about the outcome of the discussions between the Reds and Feyenoord, the club where he has officiated since 2021. “The clubs are negotiating, so I’m still waiting”, declared the 45-year-old Dutch technician, specifying, after the victory over the Go Ahead Eagles (3-1), that the Rotterdam club would receive, if necessary, “the transfer compensation highest for a coach in the history of the Netherlands. Coming soon. From France Info to The Athletic, including the Dutch from AD and the English media, various sources announce that an agreement has been reached between the two clubs. Fabrizio Romano mentions compensation of between €13 and €15 million. Slot is apparently already OK.
There are only a few administrative details left to settle for the news to be official. Remember that Jurgen Klopp made the decision to leave his position at the end of the season, after nine years of good and loyal service on the banks of the Mersey. He notably guided the Reds to final victory in the Champions League (2019), Premier League (2020), FA Cup (2022) and English League Cup (2022, 2024).
Former attacking midfielder, Arne Slot spent his entire playing career in his native lands (Zwolle, Breda, Sparta Rotterdam), without ever playing for the national team or for a big name like Ajax, PSV… or Feyenoord. After a first experience as number 1 on the Alkmaar bench (2019-20), the Bergentheim native took the reins of Feyenoord in 2021, winning the Eredivisie last season and the Dutch Cup, he a few days ago. Results in Rotterdam? 145 matches, 94 victories, 27 draws and 24 defeats. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to make Klopp forget. Going after a legend isn’t the easiest thing. Ask Sir Alex Ferguson’s early successors at Manchester United or Arsene Wenger at Arsenal… “I like the way his team plays football. Good coach, good guy,” commented the German coach, specifying that he had no say in the choice of who will take over from him. So it will be Arne Slot.