Liverpool’s new manager search took another twist today with a new leading candidate named.
The Reds have been anything but straightforward in their hunt to find the right man to replace Jurgen Klopp.
And after Ruben Amorim’s name was seemingly dropped from consideration on Monday, Liverpool supporters were left scratching their heads.
There were still a number of viable options from the reported five-man shortlist they were working from a couple of weeks ago. But none of them seemed especially likely.
Now, on Tuesday afternoon, new filtered through that a name who was not on that list at all – Feyenoord’s Arne Slot – is now the ‘leading contender.’
Why do Liverpool want Arne Slot
This news will have come as quite a surprise to Liverpool fans. Slot has been mentioned sporadically throughout the search so far, but never as a prominent candidate.
Nevertheless, it had frequently been claimed that the Reds were prepared to be ‘bold’ rather than popular with their choice. So, it shouldn’t be a huge shock that a left-field name has been plucked.
And, to be honest, when you look at the reasons The Athletic put forward for Slot to be considered, we can’t say it doesn’t make sense.
They claim that the 45-year-old has actually filled ‘many of the relevant’ criteria that Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes were looking for.
One of these is said to be Slot’s style of football. Described as being an ‘aggressive, dominant style of play,’ the Dutchman is said to be a good fit for Liverpool’s current first-team squad. He also reportedly has a good track record in youth development and can demonstrate ‘title-winning success’ while sticking to these principles.
Lastly – and perhaps this will feed the critics slightly – Slot is claimed to have shown that he can achieve success without ‘frivolous spending.’ This one is said to be ‘attractive’ to FSG in particular.
Who is Arne Slot
All of this sounds good, but you can’t get away from the fact that many Liverpool fans will be left asking ‘Who is Arne Slot?’ tonight. Well, let us try to give you a little bit of background.
Slot, a former midfielder, spent the whole of his playing career in his native Netherlands. Never capped for his country, he retired at PEC Zwolle in 2013.
From there, he moved to Cambuur, where he worked as an assistant and briefly and interim manager. A move to AZ Alkmaar then beckoned where Slot again worked behind the scenes before taking on the top job in 2019.
His first stint as a head coach was promising and Slot may well have led AZ to the title in 2020 were the season not prematurely ended by the Coronavirus pandemic. Slot’s side were level on points with Ajax at the top when the campaign finished without awarding a winner.
Arne then joined Feyenoord where he has been ever since. A Europa Conference League runners-up medal in 2021/22 was followed up with Eredivisie title win the following year, and a KNVB Cup this time. Not bad.