Feyenoord coach Arne Slot says he will be the Liverpool manager next season
FILE- Feyenoord's head coach Arne Slot reacts to his players during the Europa League play off, first leg soccer match between Feyenoord and Roma at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. Liverpool might have found its replacement for Jurgen Klopp. Feyenoord coach Arne Slot says his Dutch club is “negotiating” with Liverpool over his possible move to Anfield. Slot tells ESPN he is “still on hold" and “we have to wait for an agreement to be reached, but I have every confidence in that.” Credit: AP/Peter Dejong
Feyenoord coach Arne Slot confirmed one of soccer’s worst-kept secrets: He is the next Liverpool manager.
Slot has previously gone public about his negotiations with Liverpool, although the English club hasn't officially commented on his impending arrival as the replacement for Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool still hasn't.
Slot has, though.
“I can confirm that I will be the coach at Liverpool next season,” said Slot, speaking at a news conference on Friday ahead of Feyenoord's final game of the Dutch season on Sunday against Excelsior.
According to Feyenoord, Slot said an official announcement from both clubs will follow “in the short term."
Liverpool had already reportedly agreed to pay Feyenoord about 11 million euros ($11.7 million) in compensation for the 45-year-old Slot. He has coached Feyenoord since 2021, winning the league last year and the Dutch Cup this season.
Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp greets supporters at the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at the Villa Park stadium in Birmingham, England, Monday, May 13, 2024. Credit: AP/Rui Vieira
Slot said his immediate focus was finishing his time at Feyenoord with a victory this week.
“If we win, we will have 84 points and we will be the second best team in Feyenoord’s club history,” he said in quotes carried on the Feyenoord website. “This group has shown throughout the year that they hate losing. That’s what I expect on Sunday.”
On the same day, Klopp bids farewell to Liverpool after nine years in charge in a home match against Wolverhampton.
Klopp said last month that Slot would be taking over the “best job in the world” if he is appointed by Liverpool.
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