Liverpool and Feyenoord have reached a verbal agreement for Dutch manager Arne Slot to succeed Jurgen Klopp at the start of the upcoming season.
Earlier on Friday, the two clubs were on the brink of finalizing the deal, which could amount to £9.42 million, before officially sealing the agreement in the evening. The arrangement also includes the transfer of Slot’s right-hand man, Sipke Hulshoff, and head of performance, Ruben Peeters, to Liverpool. Additionally, analyst Etienne Reijnen will join the Merseyside Club.
Jurgen Klopp publicly endorsed Slot on Friday, describing him as a ‘good coach and good guy,’ as Klopp approaches his final four games as Liverpool boss.
While an initial bid of £7.7 million was turned down, negotiations progressed throughout Friday, culminating in a deal believed to be around £9.4 million, including add-ons.
“I like the way his team plays football, definitely,” Klopp remarked. “All the things I hear about him – some people I know know him, I don’t know him yet – but some people tell me that he’s a really good guy, and I like that a lot.”
“So, good coach, good guy, looking forward for the club,” Klopp continued. “If he’s the solution or the man, then I’m more than happy. It’s not up to me to judge these things but it all sounds really good to me.”
“It’s the best job in the world, the best club in the world,” Klopp added. “Obviously, now, I help even by not finishing on a high – it looks like – so there’s space for improvement. It’s a great job, fantastic people. He would take a really interesting job.”
