Feyenoord boss Arne Slot is a leading candidate to take over as Liverpool manager after Jurgen Klopp leaves.
Jurgen Klopp dropped a bombshell in January that he would leave Anfield at the end of the season, and Liverpool have been since conducting extensive research around several contenders. The Reds have been sounding out potential new managers through mediators rather than direct interviews, with Brighton and Hove Albion’s Roberto de Zerbi and Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim heavily linked with the job.
However, Arne Slot has reportedly emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Klopp in the recruitment process being spearheaded by Michael Edwards, the new CEO of the Fenway Sports Group (FSG), and incoming sporting director Richard Hughes. The 45-year-old’s achievements on a relatively shoestring budget, aggressive, pressing style of football and impressive track record of nurturing young talent fits the Reds’ criteria. There is yet to be contact between the two clubs over the Dutch tactician but Feyenoord are likely to demand a sizeable compensation fee should he leave.
Arne Slot favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield
Arne Slot has enjoyed steady success with Feyenoord since replacing veteran Dick Advocaat in 2020, and AZ Alkmaar before that. He led Feyenoord to the UEFA Europa Conference League final in his maiden campaign, where they finished third in the Eredivisie. The 45-year-old helped the Rotterdam club win the KNVB Cup on Sunday, beating NEC Nijmegen 1-0, and previously guided them to Eredivisie title success in 2022-23.
The Dutchman was heavily linked with Leeds United after they fired manager Jesse Marsch last year, while he ruled himself out of contention for the Tottenham Hotspur job before Ange Postecoglou was appointed. Slot then extended his contract with Feyenoord until 2026 but has openly admitted his desire to manage in the Premier League.
Liverpool face competition from Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Barcelona for Slot’s services this summer, when he will have two years remaining on his current contract with the Dutch club. Xabi Alonso had been the frontrunner to succeed Klopp at Anfield but committed himself to Bayer Leverkusen shortly before leading the club to the first Bundesliga title in their history. Roberto de Zerbi and Ruben Amorim are also on the shortlist, as the Reds’ search for a new manager continues.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
