Liverpool has announced that Arne Slot, the current Feyenoord coach, will take over as head coach from Jurgen Klopp on June 1, pending a work permit. The Premier League club did not disclose the length of Slot’s contract, but Sky Sports reports it to be a three-year deal.
Slot’s move to Liverpool has been widely anticipated, with the club reportedly agreeing on a compensation package of up to £9.4 million ($12 million). Slot himself confirmed his move to Anfield during his final pre-match press conference at Feyenoord on Friday.
Klopp, who announced his departure in January, led Liverpool to a 2-0 victory over Wolves in his final match on Sunday. In his farewell speech to the Anfield crowd, Klopp encouraged fans to fully support Slot, saying, “You welcome the new manager like you welcomed me. You go all-in from the first day. And you keep believing and you push the team.”
Slot joined Feyenoord in 2021 after an impressive stint at AZ Alkmaar. He led Feyenoord to the inaugural Europa Conference League final, where they narrowly lost to Jose Mourinho’s Roma. Last season, he guided the club to its second league title in 24 years and signed a new three-year contract.
Reflecting on his departure, Slot said, “You can see people are genuinely sorry you are leaving. You can say that with words, but when you see it in people’s faces, it affects me quite a lot.”
Feyenoord enjoyed a successful season, winning the Dutch Cup and finishing second to PSV Eindhoven in the league. Liverpool captain and fellow Dutchman Virgil van Dijk praised Slot’s attacking philosophy, saying it aligns well with Liverpool’s style of play.
Initially, Bayer Leverkusen boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso was considered the favorite to succeed Klopp. However, Alonso decided to remain at Leverkusen after leading them to their first-ever Bundesliga title.
In Klopp’s final season, Liverpool won the League Cup and finished third in the Premier League, securing a spot in next season’s Champions League.
