Liverpool Football Club has reportedly reached an agreement with Feyenoord for Arne Slot to take over from Jurgen Klopp as the club’s new manager.
British media outlets disclosed the development on Friday, indicating that a compensation package for Slot has been finalized.
According to reports from the Press Association and the BBC, the agreement entails a compensation sum of up to £9.4 million (approximately 10.9 million euros) for the 45-year-old Dutch coach, who had two years remaining on his contract with Feyenoord.
Slot had expressed his desire to join Liverpool earlier on Thursday, expressing confidence in securing the Anfield managerial position. He stated, “I would like to go to Liverpool. Now I’m waiting to see whether the clubs reach an agreement. I’m very confident in that.”
Having impressed during his tenure at AZ Alkmaar, Slot joined Feyenoord in 2021. Under his leadership, Feyenoord reached the Europa Conference League final in his debut season, narrowly losing to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
Subsequently, he guided the Dutch club to their second league title in 24 years last season before signing a new three-year contract.
Klopp will step down at the end of this season after a nine-year reign which brought the Champions League title in 2019 and Premier League trophy a year later.
“I like the way his team plays football. If he is the one, I like that he wants it,” Klopp told reporters on Friday when asked to highlight Slot’s qualities.
“I don’t know him, but some people who know him say he’s a good guy. I like that a lot. So good coach, good guy. Looking forward for the club, if he is the solution, if he is the man, I’m more than happy.
“It’s the best job in the world, best club in the world. Great job, great team, fantastic people. A really interesting job.”
Feyenoord currently sits second in the Eredivisie standings, trailing league leaders PSV Eindhoven by nine points.
Slot’s potential departure from Feyenoord coincides with Liverpool’s quest for a Premier League title. The Reds are currently in third place, trailing Arsenal by three points and Manchester City by two, with City having a game in hand.
Liverpool’s recent defeats against Crystal Palace and Everton have dented their title hopes, making the appointment of a new manager a crucial step in their pursuit of success.
