Feyenoord’s Slot now favourite to replace Klopp

ARNE SLOT has emerged as a serious candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp, with Liverpool intensifying their search for a new manager.

The 45-year-old is one of the most progressive coaches in European football and on Sunday guided Feyenoord to victory in the Dutch Cup final. It is the second trophy he has won in charge of the Rotterdam giants, having made them domestic champions 12 months ago. Slot, who was considered by Tottenham and Chelsea last summer, is ambitious and has always wanted to test himself on the biggest stage. He would not be daunted by the prospect of succeeding Klopp. Slot’s progress in the Netherlands, where he began his managerial career with AZ Alkmaar, has not gone unnoticed. Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AC Milan will all be looking for managers this summer and Slot is in their thinking. But he is at the forefront of Liverpool’s thoughts, too, and has many of the qualities they want in Klopp’s replacement. Klopp announced on January 26 that he would be ending his nine-year stay at Anfield in May, and it was assumed that Xabi Alonso, who has done outstanding work with Bayer Leverkusen, was in line for a return to Anfield. But the Spaniard has insisted he will be staying in Germany and that led to Ruben Amorim becoming the bookies’ favourite. But Sporting Lisbon’s impressive manager is now in the running to join West Ham and Liverpool are no longer considering him. Liverpool will not give a running commentary on their hunt for a manager, but it is easy to see why they would be attracted to Slot, whose Feyenoord team play on the front foot with a commitment to scoring goals. He also has a fine track record for developing young players. Slot was rewarded with a new contract, worth £5million a year, by Feyenoord 12 months ago after making them champions. He also took them to the Europa Conference League final in 2022. His deal runs to 2026 but he indicated on Sunday he would be prepared to move on. He was due to speak to media today but Feyenoord — who would be devastated to lose

Slot — have cancelled the press conference.