- Jurgen Klopp is set to depart Liverpool at the end of the season
- Feyenoord boss Arne Slot has emerged as the leading contender to replace Klopp
- Slot is highly regarded by the Reds after his work in the Eredivisie
Jurgen Klopp announced in January that he would step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season, leaving the club searching for someone to continue his legacy.
Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim, Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso and even Wolves' Gary O'Neil have all been linked with a move to Anfield, but now Feyenoord boss Arne Slot has emerged as a serious contender, having done a remarkable job in the Eredivisie.
Here's everything you need to know about the Dutch boss.
Slot's playing career was spent entirely in the Netherlands. The midfielder spent time at PEC Zwolle, NAC Breda and Sparta Rotterdam, winning the Eerste Divisie twice in 2002 and then ten years later in 2012.
The attacking player hung up his boots in 2013, moving into the coaching department at PEC Zwolle. He perfected his craft in the club's youth system, before making the move to Cambuur to take up the role of assistant coach.
In 2017, Slot took a move to AZ Alkmaar, once again as an assistant coach. Two years later, he was appointed head coach, guiding the club through a troubled period in the Covid pandemic.
When football resumed, Slot led his side to a second place finish in the Eredivisie, level on points with Dutch giants Ajax.
His success opened further doors and in 2021 he was offered the chance to lead Feyenoord, guiding them to the league title during his second season with the club. His achievements with Feyenoord were even more commendable as Slot charged through the league with a very young squad at his disposal.
Then 22-year-old Santiago Gimenez and 25-year-old Justin Bijlow led the squad at either ends of the pitch, attracting the eyes of footballing fans everywhere.
Slot has been known to use an aggressive, out of possession approach, with defenders committed to intense pressing. He relies on a willingness to create chances, with similarities to how Klopp currently sets up his squad.
His use of wingers to formulate chances very much resembles that of Klopp, who often turns to Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah to feed the central striker. The Dutchman's teams play on the front foot when it comes to attack, fighting to create chances and score goals.
Feyenoord's pressing has become the most successful of any team across Europe's top seven leagues. In comparison, Feyenoord have made 722 interceptions, with Liverpool making 706 at the time of writing.
The Eredivisie side also lead the way in terms of points won from losing positions, sitting at 62 points, interestingly the same number as Liverpool.
Feyenoord's boss has also been known to study Pep Guardiola's training methods, focusing on controlling through possession – a quality that Liverpool may grab with both hands.
Slot's charismatic approach also draws similarities to that of the Reds' boss, often appearing engaging and smiley. Slot could bring this presence to the Premier League, stepping into the shoes that once belonged to Klopp.
Slot's statistics speak for themselves, but it's impossible to ignore the fact that he has no Premier League experience, either as a player or manager.
However, his ideologies and style will suit Liverpool tenfold, and may be their best bet of replicating the magic that Klopp has brewed at Anfield. The Reds heavily rely on a gegenpressing style of football, something that Slot has also mastered.
In order to apply pressure on teams high up the pitch, a squad needs defenders who lack fear squeezing behind their midfielders. Both Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk are excellent at this, even if it means leaving space for opponents behind. Their style of play may fuse perfectly with what Slot aims to achieve, unlocking a potentially even stronger Van Dijk.
Slot could be tempted to purchase an attacking midfielder, offering another option alongside Dominik Szoboszlai. This could open the door even more for Teun Koopmeiners to arrive at Anfield, continuing a relationship between himself and Slot.
It is thought that Slot is ready to take the next step in his managerial career, despite being contracted with his current team until 2026.
Reports state that a fee of less than €10m (£8.6m) could be enough to see him leave the Dutch side, but there is no release clause in his contract, making a move significantly easier.
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