Arne Slot, the current Feyenoord manager, has explicitly expressed his interest in taking over from Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool's next manager at the end of this season. Every crypto betting enthusiast on the planet at this point sees him as the clear frontrunner.
There had been murmurings that Sporting manager Ruben Amorim could be in line to take over from the iconic German but he is now being heavily linked with the West Ham United job.
Slot confirmed his desire for the job during an interview with ESPN before Feyenoord's 3-1 league victory against Go Ahead Eagles.
Liverpool initiated talks with Feyenoord on Wednesday regarding Slot's potential appointment.
Feyenoord manager, Arne Slot, said:
"It seems clear to me that I would like to work there. All I can say about it is that the clubs are in negotiations. I’m in the waiting room."
Slot is currently under contract with Feyenoord, and if he were to be appointed by Liverpool, a fee would need to be negotiated as while he does have a release clause in his contract, it cannot be activated until the end of the 2024-25 season.
The 45-year-old Dutchman led Feyenoord to win the Eredivisie title in 2022-23 and bagged this season's Dutch Cup under his leadership. He's also taken Feyenoord deep into European competition on multiple occasions during his time at De Kuip.
His successful tenure at Feyenoord has seen him linked with moves to Spurs and Leeds United last season, both of which he turned down, opting to stay and continue building the Feyenoord project.
He has already received the green light from prominent members of the squad. Earlier this week, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk stated that he believes Slot's playing philosophy aligns well with the club's ethos.
Liverpool captain, Virgil Van Dijk, said:
"Arne Slot is perhaps one of the better Dutch coaches at this moment."
Key factors making him Liverpool’s preferred candidate include his attacking style of play, personality traits, and proven ability to develop players effectively.
Not only does his Feyenoord side play a free-flowing attacking style which is sure to thrill the crowds at Anfield, but through his loyalty to Feyenoord he has demonstrated his desire to work with a long-term vision.
Xabi Alonso was believed to be the clear number-one target until he announced that he would be staying at Bundesliga champions-elect Bayer Leverkusen this summer.
In the absence of Alonso, it was thought that the race came down to Slot and Amorim, and now it seems that Slot has emerged as the clear preferred candidate.
Jurgen Klopp, who has been at the helm since October 2015, announced in January that he would be stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of this season. His departure marks the end of an era and opens up a new chapter for Liverpool Football Club.
The appointment of Arne Slot could bring fresh perspectives and strategies to the team, making it an exciting prospect for both sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts alike.
