Arne Slot says he has every confidence that Liverpool and Feyenoord will soon agree a deal for him to become Anfield’s new manager next season.
The Dutch manager, who won the KNVB Cup last weekend and also led Feyenoord to the league title last season, emerged this week as Liverpool’s preferred candidate to replace outgoing manager Jurgen Klopp.
A first offer was rejected, but the Reds hope to close a deal soon.
And Slot said on Thursday night before Feyenoord’s game against Go Ahead Eagles: “The clubs are negotiating.” I’m waiting to see what will come of this.
‘It’s no secret that I would like to go to Liverpool. Now I am waiting for the clubs to reach an agreement. I have full confidence in it.’
Liverpool have started negotiations with Feyenoord to sign coach Arne Slot.
Current Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that he will leave the club at the end of the season.
Despite speculation about Slot’s future, his team managed to secure a 3-1 victory over Go Ahead Eagles.
An own goal from Jeffrey de Lange gave them the lead before Luka Ivanusec added the second. Oliver Edvardsen added the second before Ayase Ueda restored their two-goal lead.
After the match, Slot reiterated his desire to sign for Liverpool and said it would be “crazy” not to take their interest into account.
“I’m having a great time at Feyenoord, but if there’s a club like Liverpool, it would be crazy if you didn’t find it a great next step in your career. Clubs are in talks and I’m looking forward to that. That was me before the match and I still am two hours later.
Liverpool’s new sporting director Richard Hughes has strong ties to Feyenoord after signing defender Marcos Senesi for his former club Bournemouth. Slot ticked the most boxes after an exhaustive search for Klopp’s successor led by Michael Edwards, chief football executive of owners Fenway Sports Group.
Anfield officials contacted the Dutch champions on Wednesday with a first offer of compensation for the 49-year-old, who has no release clause in his contract.
A fee of more than £10m is expected to be required to sign Slot, who will look to bring with him several members of his staff, including assistant Sipke Hulshoff.
The 45-year-old recently won the KNVB Cup and previously won the Eredivisie in 2022-23.
The situation is developing rapidly and negotiations to bring Slot to Anfield could even conclude before the weekend.
Mail Sport reported on Tuesday how Slot had become Liverpool’s preferred candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp, who has four games left at the club.
Slot, who was considered by both Tottenham and Chelsea last summer, has enjoyed immense success since joining the Dutch side in 2021 and has become one of the most progressive managers in European football.
He recently led his team Feyenoord to victory in the KNVB Cup; It is the second trophy he has won with the Rotterdam giant, after proclaiming them national champion 12 months ago.
His accolades in the Dutch team have made him an ideal candidate to succeed Klopp at Anfield and the Reds have now stepped up their pursuit of the 45-year-old.
It is also worth noting that Slot’s planned press conference to preview Feyenoord’s match against Go Ahead Eagles on Thursday night has been cancelled. No official reason was given.
Slot is likely to bring his right-hand man Sipke Hulshoff to his next club as Liverpool need a massive rebuild in the coaching department after several high-profile members of Klopp’s trusted squad followed him out the door. exit.
Klopp announced at the end of January that he would be leaving the club after almost nine years in charge and now has just five games left on Merseyside, including Wednesday’s trip via Stanley Park to Everton and Goodison Park.
Initial reports suggested the Reds were considering a move for Xabi Alonsowhat an outstanding job he has done with Bayer Leverkusen.
But Alonso wanted to stay in Germany and that led Rubén Amorim to assume the favoritism of the betting houses.
The Portuguese, who has a £12m release clause in his contract, recently spoke of being unable to give Sporting Lisbon any guarantees over his future.
Liverpool had strongly considered him, as they did with Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, but are now prepared to move in a different direction to Amorim, who is a target for West Ham United, as Mail Sport reported on Monday.