LONDON – Feyenoord coach Arne Slot has emerged as the leading contender to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, according to British media reports on April 23.
Slot, 45, led his team to their first league title in six years last season and won the Dutch Cup on April 21.
He had been a front runner to take over at Tottenham Hotspur a year ago before ruling himself out of contention.
Sky Sports, the BBC and The Times of London have all reported that Slot is now leading the race for the unenviable task of following Klopp at Anfield. The Rotterdam-based Algemeen Dagblad daily said Liverpool opened negotiations with Feyenoord on April 24.
The Dutchman had previously spoken about wanting to manage in the English Premier League. “My next step will not be a club in Holland,” Slot said in May 2023, via Sky Sports.
“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.”
However, the Reds could face competition from Bayern Munich and Barcelona, who are also looking for new coaches next season with the impending departures of Thomas Tuchel and Xavi Hernandez respectively.
Bayer Leverkusen boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso had been the favourite when Klopp announced his decision in January to stand down at the end of the season after nearly nine years in the role.
However, he has committed to staying at Leverkusen after leading them to their first Bundesliga title.
Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim, 39, was also linked with the Liverpool vacancy but reportedly held talks with West Ham United on April 21 about replacing David Moyes next season.
Slot moved to Feyenoord in 2021 after impressing at AZ Alkmaar.
He led the Dutch giants to the inaugural Europa Conference League final in his first season, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma.
Slot then delivered just a second league title in 24 years to De Kuip last season, but his side trail PSV Eindhoven by nine points with only four games remaining in the 2024 Eredivisie title race.
The Times said his track record of improving players and a high-octane playing style, not dissimilar to Klopp’s, is what is attracting the Liverpool hierarchy.
Dutch football journalist Marcel van der Kraan added: “He is the prime candidate for Liverpool.
“He’s not only been a successful manager, he’s also been hugely impressive with his playing style of very attack-minded, Pep Guardiola-style football.
“He’s made Feyenoord champions playing crazy, sexy football.
“It is sexy what this man brings on a football pitch. I will be surprised if Slot doesn’t bite at this chance and become the manager of Liverpool next season.” AFP
