Arne Slot: Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp’s successor career, trophies won, formation and tactics

Arne Slot: Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp’s successor career, trophies won, formation and tactics

Liverpool is set to welcome Arne Slot to Anfield as they prepare for life after Jurgen Klopp. 

The club has agreed to appoint Slot as Klopp’s successor this summer, marking the beginning of a new era after nine years under the German manager. 

Slot’s name wasn’t initially among those speculated to replace Klopp, such as Xabi Alonso, Roberto De Zerbi, and Ruben Amorim, so his impending appointment has come as a surprise to many supporters. 

As Liverpool fans get ready to welcome Slot to Merseyside, here are some key details about the 45-year-old.

Who has Arne Slot coached during his career?

Slot had a successful playing career in the Netherlands, representing FC Zwolle, NAC Breda, Sparta Rotterdam, and PEC Zwolle before retiring in 2013. Over 18 years, he made more than 450 appearances and won the Dutch second-tier title twice with FC Zwolle.

After retiring, Slot joined Zwolle’s coaching staff, initially working as a youth coach before moving to Cambuur.Originally serving as an assistant, he assumed temporary leadership of the team in 2016. Under his guidance, the team progressed from 14th place to third in the second tier, coming close to earning promotion to the Eredivisie.. Cambuur also made it to the semi-finals of the Dutch Cup that season, eliminating Ajax before losing to AZ Alkmaar on penalties.

In 2017, Slot became an assistant at Alkmaar, helping the club to third and fourth-place finishes in the league before becoming manager in 2019. During his first season, AZ were level on points with Ajax after 25 matches, but the league was cancelled due to the pandemic, denying them the chance to win the title. He left the club in December 2020 with a record of 2.11 points per game, the highest of any manager in Alkmaar’s history.

Slot then joined Feyenoord, leading them to the final of the UEFA Conference League in his first season. In the 2022/23 season, he guided Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title, the semi-finals of the Dutch Cup, and the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

In his current term, Slot’s Feyenoord won the Dutch Cup by defeating NEC Nijmegen in the final, but missed out on the Eredivisie title to PSV Eindhoven.

How many trophies has Arne Slot won as a manager?

Slot has won two major honours as a coach: the Eredivisie (2022/23) and KNVB Cup (2023/24). He will be hoping to add to this list as Liverpool boss…

What formation does Arne Slot like to play?

Slot prefers to use a 4-2-3-1 system, featuring a double pivot, one No.10, two wingers, and a central striker. His coaching philosophy has been heavily influenced by Pep Guardiola and Roberto De Zerbi.

It’s evident that the 45-year-old coach dislikes defensive football, with Jose Mourinho being a prime example of a coach whose style he doesn’t appreciate.

During last season’s Europa League quarter-finals against AS Roma, Slot had a heated exchange with Mourinho, expressing his disapproval of Roma’s style of play.

The two clubs had previously faced each other in the Europa Conference League final the year before, and were drawn against each other again last season in the quest for a place in the Europa League semi-finals.

When asked if he had been studying Roma’s matches to prepare for the two-legged tie, Slot stirred things up by saying, “Their style of football gets results, but I prefer to watch Manchester City and Napoli. I’m very honest about that.”

What has been said about Arne Slot?

Bert Konterman, technical manager at PEC Zwolle during Slot’s time as a player, remarked that Slot seemed to be immersed in studying FC Barcelona day and night. Slot would analyze their positional play and how they approached free-kicks. Konterman noted that Slot would arrive at the club the next morning excitedly sharing what he had learned.

Jurgen Klopp expressed his admiration for Slot’s coaching style and heard positive things about him as a person. Although he hadn’t met Slot yet, Klopp was looking forward to the possibility of him joining Liverpool, stating that he liked what he had heard.

Virgil van Dijk suggested that Arne Slot might be one of the best Dutch coaches at the moment, praising his playing style and philosophy. He thought Slot could fit well as a coach for Liverpool, but he also acknowledged that nothing was finalized yet.

Reiss Nelson, an Arsenal forward, praised Slot as a great manager who helped him find his rhythm and provided him with ample playing opportunities during his time in Holland. Nelson highlighted the positive football experience under Slot’s management, despite personal challenges like being away from family and dealing with the COVID-19 situation.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh, a former Brighton forward now playing for Feyenoord, credited Slot for helping him improve as a player during their time together at AZ. Jahanbakhsh expressed his eagerness to join Feyenoord when Slot approached him, indicating his trust and admiration for his former coach.

Arne Slot described himself as a “control freak” similar to Pep Guardiola. He emphasized his desire to win matches during training sessions by meticulously imprinting his tactical plans on his players. 

Slot admitted that referee mistakes frustrated him because they could disrupt his carefully planned preparations. 

He acknowledged Guardiola as someone who gave him immense pleasure in football, expressing his preference for watching Manchester City, as well as other teams like Napoli, Arsenal, and Brighton. 

Slot highlighted the similarities between his coaching philosophy and Guardiola’s, focusing on a 4-3-3 formation, building up play from the back, and pressing opponents quickly, while also ensuring that his tactics fit the abilities of his own players.

Who will Arne slot be bringing with him to Liverpool?

The complete list of individuals Slot will be bringing with him has not been finalized yet, but it is likely to consist of his assistant Sipke Hulshoff and Ruben Peeters, the current head of performance at Feyenoord. 

It is also expected that Etienne Reijnen, an analyst and technical advisor, will accompany Slot to Anfield.

Arne Slot: Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp’s successor career, trophies won, formation and tactics

Arne Slot: Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp’s successor career, trophies won, formation and tactics

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