When Jürgen Klopp departed Liverpool at the end of last season, it was always going to be challenging to find a successor for the charismatic German. After eight seasons with the club, his time had come to an end, winning the League Cup and almost shocking the Premier League betting to win the title in his final year at Anfield.
Despite the Reds capitulating in the last weeks of the campaign, with a multitude of injuries and inconsistent performances costing them the treble, Klopp still managed to bow out as a legend of English football, with Arne Slot the man chosen to replace him.
The Dutch manager was relatively unknown at the time of his appointment, and in this article, we look at everything you need to know about Slot and what the 45-year-old will bring to Liverpool before their Premier League campaign begins away to newly promoted Ipswich Town.
Former clubs
Slot retired as a player in 2013, ending a career that saw him play for many sides across the Eredivisie, including Sparta Rotterdam. It was in the Netherlands that he was given his first break in coaching.
After learning the ropes at Cambuur, Slot enjoyed a successful season at AZ Alkmaar, where he helped them finish second in the league, earning a place in Champions League qualification. This was enough for Feyenoord to come calling in 2020 – the club where he made his mark in Europe.
League title success
At Feyenoord, Slot built a team focused on pressing and constant rotation, using versatile players to make do with a rather thin squad compared to the powerhouses of Dutch football like Ajax and PSV.
Working alongside former Premier League striker Robin van Persie, Feyenoord established a strong side, eventually winning the league in the 2022-23 season. Slot was named Eredivisie Manager of the Year in June 2023, becoming the fourth coach to win the award, as De Stadionclub finished seven points ahead of PSV to lift the trophy, losing just two games.
What Slot Offers Liverpool
From the off, Slot made it clear that he wanted to be his own manager when several comparisons were made between himself and Klopp. Though the two play a similar style of football, Slot offers more control of games than the German’s “heavy-metal football” which is more controlled chaos.
“We’ve spoken about many things but I think it’s not more than normal that the things we’ve spoken about stays between us,” Slot said in his first press conference about his relationship with Klopp.
“Him singing a song for me was special because there are not many managers where the fans sing for – maybe not the best English to use.
“I was fortunate enough that after a few years at Feyenoord, they started to sing for me. But now coming over here without working here yet, without winning a game, already fans singing for you, that’s a good start!”
He comes across as very charming and likable, introducing himself to the media and Liverpool’s staff with a friendly demeanor, meaning we’re unlikely to see many complaints about lunchtime kick-offs or referring decisions.
Liverpool signings
Not much business is to be expected in the early week of the summer transfer window. The Reds are well aware of their financial limitations, even with the return of Champions League nights at Anfield, but it will be interesting to see who does line up in their opening game.
Fábio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg return from their respective loans, while Stefan Bajčetić is back in full training after a year out with injury. On top of this, Liverpool have been linked with the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Gleison Bremer to bolster their squad.
Slot has to use these early weeks to win over the crowd at Anfield. He knows his job won’t be easy, but the owners are renowned for giving managers time to settle in, and all eyes will be on the Dutchman come the opening weeks of the season.