Jurgen Klopp, the enigmatic and charismatic manager of Liverpool for the past nine years, announced he would be stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season. The German claimed he needed to leave because he was “running out of energy” and that he could not “do the job again and again and again and again”.
Since the Champions League-winning manager announced his departure on the the 26th of January 2024, the club went on to challenge for the Premier League title in a three-horse race with Arsenal and Manchester City, before “running out of energy” with defeats to Crystal Palace and Everton, and a draw to West Ham effectively knocking them out of the race.
Who Is Arne Slot?
Rumors began swirling about who could potentially replace the legendary manager, Klopp, immediately after he announced his departure. Based on the current pedigree of the club, names like Zinedine Zidane were thrown into the mix.
Club legend and record breaker, Xabi Alonso, was also considered until the Bayer Leverkusen manager dispelled the rumors, wanting to continue in Leverkusen. Arne Slot became a contender for the position in April.
Arne Slot has been the manager of Eredivisie side, Feyenoord, for the last three years. During that time, he finished runners-up in the UEFA Europa Conference League 2021-22 final, losing to Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma 1-0. He also won the 2022-23 Eredivisie title, besting second-placed PSV Eindhoven with seven points.
This season, he led Feyenoord to the club’s 14th KNVB Cup trophy, the club’s first since the 2017–18 season.
Arne Slot’s Contract With Liverpool
🚨🔴 Arne Slot formally signs his contract as new Liverpool head coach today, all documents are in place.
The official announcement will follow with #LFC desired timing.
Work permit still pending for some of his staff members and then it will be all sealed. pic.twitter.com/246v1kWIIG
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 17, 2024
According to world-renowned sports journalist, Fabrizio Romano, in a tweet sent out on the 29th of April, Liverpool had signed all documents with Feyenoord to allow the Eredivisie winner to replace Jurgen Klopp.
Before both clubs had reached an agreement, Arne Slot had told ESPN:
“I’d like to become new Liverpool manager, my decisions is clear. Feyenoord and Liverpool are in talks to negotiate, I’m waiting to see what will come out of it. I am confident, waiting for the clubs to reach an agreement.”
Liverpool was going to pay €9 million including €2 million for Arne Slot to move to the club. The total package which would include his entire backroom staff, Sipke Hulshoff and Ruben Peeters inclusive, was to be more than €13 million for one year.
This compensation fee was set to make him the most expensive Dutch coach ever. With senior players like Thiago Alcántara and Joel Matip leaving the club at the end of the season with the expiration of their contracts, the club has already started working with the Dutch manager on a potential summer transfer list.
Liverpool is expected to announce the signing in due time but will wait till the season is over and Jurgen Klopp is given a proper send-off.
Also Read: Thomas Tuchel Firm On Leaving Bayern despite Intense Talks with Management
Looking To The Future With Arne Slot
After nine years at the summit of English football with Jurgen Klopp, the announcement of his departure hit fans of the Merseyside club and other English football fans hard. The manager has been known for his emotional side and his teams have consistently been among the most feared in Europe.
Liverpool fans would be hoping Arne Slot’s era wouldn’t be like fellow Dutchman, Erik Ten Hag’s at Manchester United.
Klopp’s pressing and high attacking output made his team win back possession often immediately after losing possession. This style of play, Gegenpressing, which he tagged “heavy metal” football, made them one of the most difficult sides to play against.
Arne Slot has also been known to play a similar high-intensity attacking style of play in possession. This was part of why the Liverpool board was drawn to him as the German’s replacement. His teams are also similar to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in that they dominate possession effectively with their front-foot style of pressing.
About the Author
Ebenezer has been an avid writer for over a decade and a half. Within that period, he has garnered experience in various fields such as editing, graphics design, transcribing, sales, data analysis, and football management.
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