Soccer

‘It’s no secret that I want to go to Liverpool’ - Arne Slot admits he wants to succeed Jürgen Klopp

Feyenoord manager says clubs are in discussions and he remains confident of taking over at Anfield

Liverpool have opened talks with Feyenoord over appointing Arne Slot as their new manager. Photograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool have opened talks with Feyenoord over appointing Arne Slot as their new manager. Photograph: Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images
Mark Dobson
Thu Apr 25 2024 - 21:19

Liverpool have opened talks with Feyenoord over appointing Arne Slot as their new manager with the 45-year-old open to the idea of succeeding Jürgen Klopp at Anfield.

Slot has emerged as the front-runner for the Liverpool job with his track record of improving young talent, success on a relatively modest budget, European experience and a style of play that is not a dramatic departure from Klopp’s, all appealing to Anfield’s recruitment team.

Arne Slot has revealed he is keen on a move to Liverpool and has “confidence” that a switch to Anfield will materialise.

The Feyenoord manager, who has become Liverpool’s preferred candidate to succeed Jürgen Klopp, was speaking to ESPN before the club’s Eredivisie game with Go Ahead Eagles.

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“It’s no secret that I want to go to Liverpool,” he said. “The clubs are negotiating. We have to wait until an agreement is reached, but I have every confidence in that. I’d like to become the new Liverpool manager.

“The clubs are negotiating, so I am still on hold. We are waiting for an agreement to be reached, but I am confident of that.”

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Slot described himself as being “in the waiting room” over a deal being done. He has two seasons left on his contract but Liverpool have now made an official approach for the 45-year-old, who is of interest to Bayern Munich and Milan.

It will take a compensation fee in the region of €10m (£8.5m) to release him from the final two years of his Feyenoord contract. Negotiations between the two clubs are ongoing.

Slot led the Rotterdam club to victory in the KNVB Cup on Sunday and won the Eredivisie title last season. He also reached the 2022 Europa Conference League final, in his first season in charge after replacing Dick Advocaat.

– Guardian