Replacing Jurgen Klopp is a difficult job, but in Arne Slot, the Reds might find a strong solution to perform an unenviable task.
The Feyenoord boss has emerged as a strong contender to succeed Klopp at Anfield this summer, after fan-favourite Xabi Alonso opted to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, while talk has run cold on the prospects of Ruben Amorim making the switch from Sporting Lisbon.
Slot is a man who Tottenham supporters will be well aware of, as he looked on course to replace Antonio Conte a year ago after his excellent work in Rotterdam. Yet, there was a twist in the tale, as the 45-year-old opted to stay at Feyenoord and sign a new contract.
Despite his success in the Netherlands, Liverpool fans might hold concerns over what he can bring and if he can fill the very large boots left by Klopp. They will also take one look at their biggest rivals Manchester United, and see how Erik ten Hag is currently struggling at Old Trafford after impressing at Ajax.
But Slot is a cutting-edge operator with an exciting brand of football, and could prove to be a shrewd appointment if the Reds make a successful move for him.
Arne Slot has emerged as a strong contender to take over the Liverpool job from Jurgen Klopp
Slot has impressed many with his work in Rotterdam, winning the Eredivisie title last season
Filling Klopp’s boots at Anfield is a massive challenge, but Slot could be a shrewd appointment
His approach to management is defined by energy, a high-octane pressing style that Klopp himself with his ‘heavy-metal’ brand of football would give his nod of approval to.
Dutch football experts have also likened him to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola – with Slot said to be a massive fan of the Spaniard.
One Dutch journalist told Sky Sports last year before his failed move to Tottenham: ‘He’s a really good manager. I’ve followed Feyenoord for 40 years. Not since the days of Johan Cruyff at Ajax in the 1980s has there been a coach so attack-minded in the Dutch league. Cruyff only had a few disciples who followed him and one of them was Pep Guardiola.
‘I would say Slot is a Guardiola-style manager based on everything I’ve seen over the past couple of years. The fans of Feyenoord can’t believe what they’ve seen over that time.’
Slot prefers to deploy either a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 system that relies on possession which would fit Liverpool’s current squad. He has a focus on regaining the ball as quickly as possible and his side top the Eredivisie for tackles won in the opposition’s final third.
He likes his teams to play with two holding midfielders, while the attacking impetus is placed on wide players to deliver chances for the central striker.
Explaining his approach with Feyenoord, Slot told UEFA: ‘We are an attack-minded team that likes to have a lot of the ball, and we play with a lot of intensity.
‘When we don’t have the ball, we want to win it back as quickly as possible by being aggressive and pressing to win back possession. I think we are a team that is difficult to beat.’
Slot has been described as a ‘Pep Guardiola-style manager’ thanks to his work at Feyenoord
One person claimed he plays the most attacking style of football seen in the Netherlands since the late Johan Cruyff, pictured, was a manager
Slot prefers to deploy a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 system at Feyenoord with two defensive midfielders and a reliance on wingers to create opportunities for a central striker
The Dutchman also has a reputation of developing youth players, something which will be integral for the Reds going forward, given the amount of youngsters coming through, including Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah who have impressed since making the step-up to the first time.
‘Players like him. He understands people, that’s his biggest strength,‘ a source told Mail Sport last year.
Though he has a charismatic charm and is well liked by players, he was also described as someone who ‘isn’t necessarily easy’.
Another source said: ‘He is a very friendly and likeable guy, he uses that. Arne’s a top coach, but he isn’t necessarily easy,’ said a source. ‘He runs the whole club at Feyenoord, he has all the power.’
Slot previously impressed at AZ Alkmaar, but was abruptly sacked in December 2020 after owner Robert Eenhoorn was informed that the manager attended a clandestine meeting with Feyenoord about replacing then manager, Dick Advocaat.
Though he can be a challenging figure at Feyenoord, his success at the club is not questionable.
The Eredivisie side have a rich history with players like Ruud Gullit, Ronald Koeman, Robin van Persie and Henrik Larsson all previously playing for the club. They won the European Cup in 1970, the UEFA Cup twice and the Dutch title 16 times.
They had won the league just once this century before Slot led them to the title last season.
It even came after they had to deal with losing some of their big players, with the likes of Tyrell Malacia, Luis Sinisterra, Marcos Senesi and Fredrik Aursnes leaving for a combined £60m after they lost in the final of the Europa Conference League to Roma two years ago.
A source told Mail Sport last year that Slot ‘runs the whole club at Feyenoord’ so it might be expected that he would like to have a big say behind the scenes at Liverpool
Slot could link up with Dutch compatriots Cody Gakpo, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch at Anfield
Forward Santiago Gimenez, pictured after Feyenoord’s Dutch Cup triumph, has been among the signings to have signed at the club under Slot’s management
But they continue to buy players wisely, with Mexican forward Santiago Gimenez scoring 47 goals in 85 appearances since he arrived at the club for just £3m in the summer of 2022.
PSV Eindhoven are on the verge of reclaiming the Dutch title this season, but a second place finish for Slot’s Feyenoord along with success in the Dutch Cup this month reflects another strong season.
His Feyenoord side have proven themselves to be efficient in both attack and defence, scoring 77 goals in 30 games while only conceding 23.
Dutch legend Marco van Basten is convinced that Slot can become a success at Liverpool if the Reds made a move.
‘I hope he stays in the Netherlands longer because it is an enrichment for Dutch football. He can really go anywhere – Bayern Munich, Liverpool… I’m really convinced of that,’ Van Basten said of Slot on Ziggo Sport’s Rondo.
‘I’ve spoken to him a few times and I think what he does and what he sees is very strong. He gets along very well with the group of players, is tactically well-versed, can explain things well and is calm and intelligent. I think he can go to any club, even at the very difficult clubs, because he is so intelligent.
Slot has two major pieces of silverware during his time at Feyenoord, in a league that has so often been dominated by Ajax and PSV Eindhoven during the 21st century
Marco van Basten believes it would be easier for Slot to succeed at Liverpool with better players and believes he has the quality to become the manager at Anfield
‘He has a lot of qualities and he shows it at every level. He first did it at AZ, and now at Feyenoord. And Feyenoord is a really complicated club. He has been doing well for three years, while PSV and Ajax have much more options in terms of money.
‘He could really fit anywhere. If you get AZ and Feyenoord to play football, you also get big clubs like AC Milan to play football. You can clearly see his hand where he is the coach.
‘I think it will even be easier for him at a higher level because he has better players who understand his ideas faster. I also think he is smart enough to manage stubborn players.’
His work has not gone unnoticed with Tottenham and Chelsea previously considering moves for him last year, while the likes of Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AC Milan will all have Slot in their thinking as they look for new managers.
Slot himself has also stated that he hoped his next move would be the Premier League.
He said: ‘My next step will not be a club in Holland.
‘If that is my next step, then I’ve failed completely. The normal next step will be to go abroad and I’ve always said the best league in the world is the Premier League.’
