Arne Slot faces a tough task in replacing Jürgen Klopp. The Reds boss has enjoyed great success on the pitch but has won over so many with his off-field charm.
Liverpool is preparing to bid farewell to Jürgen Klopp but focus will soon switch to the next era at Anfield. Arne Slot looks set to be the man to take over from Klopp, after a compensation package was agreed with Feyenoord.
There is yet to be any official confirmation over Slot’s appointment but he has made no secret of his desire to move to the Premier League. He faces the unenviable task of replacing Klopp, who won over Liverpool fans immediately with his wit, charisma and undoubted humor.
It appears Slot is not lacking in those departments either after he took part in a podcast with former Netherlands winger Andy van der Meyde. The series — Bij Andy in de Auto — sees the ex-Everton man drive round in his car with some famous faces from the world of football.
Slot got involved back in January as the pair took a ride around the Netherlands before pulling up outside Slot’s house in the city of Zwolle, around 146km from Rotterdam. Van der Meyde poked fun at Slot, saying: “What a shack man. You can buy nice things with those $2.2m (£1.7m/€2m) per year at Feyenoord.”
It is unclear how much Slot will earn at Anfield but he decided to have the last laugh as he left the car. Turning to Van der Meyde, he said: “I really enjoyed it, if only because I don’t often sit next to bald people who have even fatter heads than me!”
Van der Meyde, 44, joined Everton in 2005 after spells with Ajax and Inter Milan. But he managed just 24 appearances over four years at Goodison Park amid a spate of off-field problems. His contract was terminated in 2009 before a brief spell back with PSV, but retired at just 31.
Feyenoord still has two matches to play this season, having secured second spot in Eredivisie and a place in next year’s Champions League. Slot’s side faces NEC on Sunday before a final day visit of Excelsior.
The clip shows just what Liverpool fans can expect from Slot. One of the main criticisms of Erik ten Hag at Manchester United has been his perceived lack of charisma and Reds supporters will hope for different from his countryman.
While he will ultimately be judged on how successful Liverpool is on the pitch, Slot will need to have a personality that the club and city aligns with next season.
