Some folks needed to pay shut consideration on Sunday when Jürgen Klopp began singing on the Liverpool FC stadium. During his farewell speech, the outgoing coach wore a pink hoodie with the phrases “I’ll Never Walk Alone Again” in reference to the band’s track “You Won’t Walk Alone”. After his phrases to the followers, he sang the track of his Dutch fan – and everybody sang: “Arne Slot, na, na, na, na …”.
The subsequent day, the membership reconfirmed what the membership was anticipating by phrase of mouth and it was now not a secret. The 45-year-old slot comes from Feyenoord Rotterdam, Liverpool didn’t give any details about the size of the contract. Klopp bid farewell to the membership he loves with a low-key 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers and good vibes after 9 years, 491 video games and eight titles.
“Manage a madman like Pep Guardiola”
“Imagine subsequent season begins and you may’t wait to see what’s going to occur. He greets the brand new coach the best way he has served me,” shouted Klopp after the sport. Slot, who’s the primary Dutch participant to take over as Liverpool supervisor, had a profitable three years at Rotterdam. In 2023 he celebrated the championship and this season gained the cup.
According to media stories, Liverpool should pay the equal of round eleven million euros to maneuver to England. Feyenoord additionally introduced the transfer and spoke of an undisclosed sum within the hundreds of thousands.
But who is that this slot, which continues to be unknown in European soccer? He would not lack confidence. In the previous he made his want for subsequent season surprisingly clear: “I wish to go to Liverpool.” But it’s accompanied by charisma: self-confidence, an entire and devoted particular person.
In 2023, Slot described himself in “Voetbal International” as “a management freak like Pep Guardiola”. Slot has probably the most curiosity, of all folks, Klopp’s greatest rival lately. “There isn’t any staff I might quite watch than Manchester City,” stated Slot. Next season he’ll quickly face his instance.
“Don’t anticipate bloodshed”
Slots soccer incorporates components of Guardiola, but in addition some from Klopp: the fundamental order of 4-3-3 and the Catalan’s want to regulate the ball, attacking strain and the German’s unbridled religion in his enjoying philosophy. “I need to have as many good soccer gamers as attainable within the staff and make them work as arduous as attainable,” stated Slot himself about his philosophy, which is utilized whatever the state of affairs and the opponent.
Like Klopp, Slot was underrated as a footballer. He was utilized in two of the best Dutch leagues in Breda, Zwolle and Rotterdam. At the age of 17, Slot arrived at PEC Zwolle and was identified for his good talent, not his combating spirit. “Many folks thought that Arne was lazy and phlegmatic, however that was not true. “You should not anticipate any bloodshed,” his former coach Jan Everse advised broadcaster NOS. Slot’s method was usually described as “difficult”, his former team-mate Bram van Polen as soon as sneered concerning the “Arne Slot move”, a easy contact of the ball together with his again to the purpose that left giant gaps within the opposition’s defence.
After retiring in 2013, he instantly started working as an assistant coach. He additionally bought captain’s belts within the firm he based together with his brother Jakko. In the 2019/20 season, Slot acquired his first place as a head coach after years as an assistant. At AZ Alkmaar he averaged 2.11 factors per sport – greater than every other coach within the membership’s historical past. But in December 2020 the cooperation ended abruptly: Slot held talks with Feyenoord, Alkmaar fired him: “We desire a coach who is totally centered on AZ,” stated the membership.
Ten days later, Rotterdam introduced an settlement with Slot for the 2021/22 season. Slot was additionally profitable: in his first season he led Feyenoord to the Conference League ultimate. The following season the membership grew to become Dutch champions. Along the best way, Slot all the time stored the large image in thoughts, holding his gamers’ focus sharp.
“He desires his boys to be wholesome”
As a coach, Slot is thought for his work ethic. In Rotterdam he was usually on the coaching middle early within the morning and studied the upcoming opponents diligently. His credo: “We have to verify we create 4 instances as many probabilities because the opponent and work twice as arduous.”
He commits to doing this: “Every coaching session, each assembly needs to be excellent, his teammate Bram van Polen was shocked by the change: “He desires his boys to be match. He wasn’t there. I do not know when you’ve ever seen the within of a weight room.”
With his fashion, Slot is as well-liked with gamers, followers and media as Klopp. To what extent he can fill his large footwear at Anfield Road stays to be seen. In any case, he won’t fail because of lack of crucial confidence. And there is no such thing as a attraction to the previous.
Even earlier than the official announcement, Klopp spoke extremely of his successor. “I like the best way his staff performs soccer. All I’ve heard about him is that he’s an trustworthy boy, he is an efficient coach. If it is a resolution, I’ll be very blissful,” stated Klopp – and as he stated goodbye, he discovered everybody in his fan’s temper.