Arne Slot of Feyenoord is prominently in the running to become Liverpool’s next manager after Jurgen Klopp departs.
Klopp disclosed his plans to leave Anfield by the season’s end in January, prompting Liverpool to meticulously evaluate several prospective candidates.
Slot, who is 45 and steered Feyenoord to the 2022-23 Eredivisie championship, aligns well with what Liverpool is looking for in their next manager.
This season, Feyenoord clinched the Dutch Cup and currently holds the second position in the Eredivisie standings.
While no final decision on Slot’s appointment has been made, his prospects of succeeding Klopp have strengthened considerably.
Previously, after Leeds United dismissed Jesse Marsch, Slot was considered a potential candidate for that role but withdrew himself from consideration for the Tottenham Hotspur position last summer, which ultimately went to Ange Postecoglou.
Following this, Slot renewed his contract with Feyenoord, extending it through 2026.
During the period he was associated with a move to Spurs, Slot remarked, “If the next step isn’t outside of Holland, then I’ve utterly failed in the next few years. Ideally, the next move would be abroad, and I’ve always maintained that the Premier League is the premier league worldwide.”
Slot’s offensive tactics and his knack for nurturing talent have reportedly caught the eye of both Barcelona and Bayern Munich, enhancing his appeal to Liverpool.
Slot took over as Feyenoord’s head coach in December 2020 after leaving AZ Alkmaar, where he had a fruitful initial stint as a manager.
As a player, Slot spent his career in the Netherlands, making over 100 appearances for both FC Zwolle and NAC Breda.
Xabi Alonso was also considered for the Liverpool position, but in March, he committed to continue with Bayer Leverkusen, who went on to win the German championship.
Ruben Amorim, the manager of Sporting Lisbon, was another strong contender, though it’s believed he has now dropped out of consideration.
