First was the dispute with Mourinho and now Klopp's successor?

At the end of January, the news coming out of England was a bombshell: Jurgen Klopp would leave Liverpool at the end of the season. The German coach, who led the Reds to the league title and the Champions League, will run out of energy and need a break.

Since then, one name after another has rushed through the media: Who will be Klopp's successor? It is now clear that the answer has been found: Arne Slot. A name that not everyone will know.

The current coach of Feyenoord Rotterdam, which is in second place, said: “I want to be the new Liverpool coach. My decision is clear.” espn. Official confirmation is still pending, but the club and coach are already in close negotiations. Slott himself confirmed this. Last Sunday he won the Dutch FA Cup with Feyenoord.

When asked about his potential successor on Friday, Klopp was thrilled. “I am not involved in the process (Finding trainers, Dr. R.), but I really like him a lot. If he did, that would be great. I like the way his team plays football. A good coach and a good man.”

A few years ago, the 45-year-old played in the top Dutch leagues for BEC Zwolle, NAC Breda and Sparta Rotterdam. In 2013 he ended his active career and moved to the coaching chair. His first position in the Eredivisie was at AZ Alkmaar, first as assistant coach and then as head coach.

But the cooperation ended suddenly when the club expelled him. There were previously rumors that Slott would join Feyenoord the following season. “We spoke to Arne about the reports. As a club, we then decided to say goodbye to each other immediately. In Arizona we want a coach who is fully focused on his mission,” said head coach Max Huiberts, explaining the breakup at the time.

The slot actually went to Rotterdam in the summer of 2021. In the first season it ended up “only” in third place, but the coach and his team reached the conference league final. There they failed 0-1 against Roma under the leadership of their coach, Jose Mourinho. Two years later, there was a real problem again between the coaches.

The two teams met again in the quarter-finals of last year's Europa League season. After the 1-1 draw in the first leg, Slott was asked in the press conference before the second leg if he had watched Roma's matches. “One or two,” replied the Dutchman. But he prefers watching Manchester City matches with Pep Guardiola to learn something. He wants a better style of play than Mourinho's conservative style. This is known as a 'stop the bus' tactic, where the team positions themselves deep at the back.

Mourinho usually didn't let this slide. After the Italians won 4-1 in the second leg, he shouted after Slot in the catacombs: “Hello!” Maybe you should have watched these matches – maybe now you know what it takes to be a winner!

By the way, Feyenoord and Roma met again this season, but Mourinho was already fired in the play-off round. However, Feyenoord lost again.

But Klopp's potential successor has already proven he can win. In his second season at Feyenoord he won the league and cup championship with legendary striker Robin van Persie on the coaching staff. This season they are “only” in second place and have only a theoretical chance of winning the championship, but at least the cup has been won.

He inspires spectators with an energetic and fearless football, which is a little reminiscent of Pep Guardiola. Jan Mulder, the former Dutch international, also says this to L'Equipe: “Feyenoord play a bit like Manchester City. But unlike Pep Guardiola, Slot always sent the true number nine up the field. There is a good build-up of movements, but with less 'handball' in front of the opponent at a distance of sixteen metres. His play has become more direct and less “Bored.”

Another strength of a coach has to be his ability to develop young players. Among those currently thriving in his team is 22-year-old Quentin Temper, the twin brother of Arsenal player Jurrian Temper. He also developed Luis Sinistra, who was already considered a failure, into the team's star. He moved to Leeds United for $25 million at the end of the season.

People in England are already enthusiastic about the coach's qualities: “The most important requirements for Klopp's successor are that he must develop players, be able to build a connection with fans, and be committed to the club's style of play. It ticks all the boxes,” she writes. daily Mail.

Tottenham and Chelsea were said to have been courting last summer, but he decided to extend his contract in the Netherlands at the time. That is why he still has a contract in Rotterdam until 2026. Liverpool will have to transfer almost 10 million euros to Rotterdam in order to release the coach from the contract.

Former Schalke striker Jan Mulder recently told a French sports newspaper: “Slot shares the same idea of ​​football as Klopp: winning and putting on a show for the fans.” L'Equipe. “Since he took over as coach of Feyenoord, he has made them a team that is very difficult to beat and consistent in their performance. Their playing style is also similar, with a desire to play forward and often pass wide using the wings. Since he prefers immediate and high pressing, he prepares his players physically as soon as they lose the ball.

This will be Slot's first project outside the Netherlands. However, at Liverpool, he will meet three of his compatriots: Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Jacobo. The three are currently still competing for the Premier League title, but they suffered a severe setback in Klopp's farewell tour with a 2-0 defeat in the derby against Everton.

It is set to be decided soon whether Slott will indeed become Klopp's successor.