Arne Slot to Liverpool: Everything we know so far as transfer fee agreed | OneFootball

Arne Slot is on the verge of becoming the next Liverpool manager.

When the process to replace Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield dugout began a few months ago, few would have predicted the Dutchman would be the man to do it.

Xabi Alonso appeared to be the obvious candidate; a former fan favourite who achieved everything there is to achieve as a player, he is one of the most highly-rated young coaches in the world after guiding Bayer Leverkusen to an historic first Bundesliga title.

But the Basque tactician ruled himself out of the running, while other candidates such as Roberto De Zerbi, Ruben Amorim and Julian Nagelsmann gradually faded out of the picture.

Last week Slot emerged as the surprise frontrunner for the hot seat, and from there things moved quickly. Once Liverpool identified him as their ideal successor to Klopp, they wasted little time in acquiring the 45-year-old.

Here is everything we know so far about Liverpool’s approach for Slot.

Liverpool agree deal for Arne Slot

Multiple reports claim that Liverpool have agreed a compensation package with Feyenoord to let Slot become their new manager.

The Reds reportedly had their opening offer of £7.7m rejected earlier this week, but the two parties have now come to an agreement.

While the figures are yet to be confirmed, The Athletic claim the fee is at minimum £9.4m and at most £12.8m.

Feyenoord assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff and head of performance Ruben Peeters are set to join Slot at Liverpool.

What Arne Slot has said

Arne Slot confirmed this week that he wanted the job and was confident a deal would be done.

“Obviously it’s nice when a big club approaches you. That wasn’t the first time in the years I’ve been at Feyenoord, of course,” said the Dutchman.

“At the same time you know there are some very important matches coming up, including the cup final. So we are focused fully on that first.

“We won that, and then it got a bit more attention in the media. That’s just how it goes.”

Asked if it was difficult waiting for an agreement to be reached, Slot said: “No, that’s inherent to how these things go. And it’s not difficult because I have the impression that a good offer has already been made. And it seems that Feyenoord is already going to make the highest-paid Dutch transfer fee for a coach.

“Somewhere I still have a bit of an idea that I have performed so well in recent years, earned so much money, that Feyenoord is thinking along those lines. Although thinking along might not be the right words when you hear the amounts involved.”

“I don’t think ‘wish’ is the right word when you know the amounts involved,” Slot said when asked if Feyenoord wished him well in leaving De Kuip.

“Wishing is when you have a clause in your contract and that is the maximum they’re willing to pay. Then you can talk about wishing. Now it’s about hard bargaining, which is everyone’s right. But I absolutely believe they will reach an agreement.”

Arne Slot ‘absolutely believes’ LIverpool move will happen

What Jurgen Klopp has said

Klopp, who announced in January his intention to step down at the end of the season, believes that Slot is inheriting the “best job in the world”.

“I don’t know anything about it. Not involved in the process (of appointing his successor) just to clarify that,” Klopp said at his press conference ahead of Saturday’s game against West Ham.

“I like a lot about it, if he is the one, he wants to take the job. Really. Is desperate. ‘Come on, let’s go for it. Excited’.

“I like the way his team play football. All the things I hear about him as a guy, a good guy. Some people I know know him, I don’t know him yet. Some people tell me that he is a really good guy. I like that a lot.

“Good coach, good guy. Looking forward for the club if he is the solution or the man. I’m more than happy. It’s not up to me to judge these things but it all sounds really good to me.”

Klopp continued: “Best job in the world, best club in the world, best job in the world. Obviously now I even help by not finishing on a high, it looks like.

“There is space for improvement. Great job, great team, fantastic people. He would take a really, really interesting job.”

Klopp sees silver lining in Liverpool title stumbles

Who is Arne Slot?

Arne Slot is the 45-year-old head coach of Feyenoord Rotterdam. After 18 years as a senior professional player, playing for the likes of FC Zwolle, NAC Breda, Sparta Rotterdam and PEC Zwolle, he moved into coaching after retired from the game in 2013.

Slot briefly managed Cambuur and AZ Alkmaar before taking the Feyenoord job in 2021. He took the club to the final of the Uefa Europa Conference League in his first year in charge, before claiming the Eredivisie title last term.

Spurs were linked with Slot before appointing Ange Postecoglou. His side have added more silverware this season, claiming the KNVB Cup last week.

Why do Liverpool want Arne Slot?

Moving from the Eredivisie to the Premier League and Rotterdam to Anfield will be a huge step up for Slot, who has only been in football management for eight years.

But Michael Edwards, who is FSG’s CEO of Football, and new sporting director Richard Hughes have landed on the Dutchman for a few key reason.

They are reportedly impressed by his high-intensity style of football, which is both attacking and attractive to watch – something they believe will suit the current squad of players.

Slot also has a history of developing young players and is said to have good communication skills. He leaves the Netherlands with an impressive CV, but his appointment is still something of a gamble for Liverpool.

Read – Liverpool manager Klopp concedes title is now two-horse race

See more – Klopp ‘can’t remember ever being as disappointed’ as Everton loss

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