How Liverpool came up with a plan to ensure that Slot is not another Moyes
WHEN Jurgen Klopp shocked Anfield on Sunday by leading a chant of ‘Arne Slot, na na na na na’ — to the tune of Live is Life by Opus — the mind turned to 2013 and Sir Alex Ferguson’s final Old Trafford address.
‘ The most important thing now is to get behind our new manager,’ Fergie said upon retiring. Look how that turned out.
The only chant sung about his replacement was led by Manchester City fans. ‘David Moyes is a football genius,’ they sang in mockery.
Liverpool must learn from their bitter rivals when it comes to beating the legendary boss hangover. But the foundations for success are there.
With a complete overhaul at executive level — led by new CEO of Football Michael Edwards, sporting director Richard Hughes and the hires of Julian Ward and Pedro Marques — the structure is in place for Slot, who was confirmed as the new Reds manager by the club last night, to prove his methods can work in Rotterdam or anywhere.
‘ It is certainly not an easy decision to close the door at a club where you have experienced so many wonderful moments and worked successfully with so many wonderful people,’ Slot told Feyenoord’s website.
‘ But as a sportsman, an opportunity to become a head coach in the Premier League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, is difficult to ignore.’
There is a mounting in-tray for Slot when he starts work in early June. But Liverpool’s data-led recruitment process has led them to believe he is the man to solve the problems he may face.
Central to that is his ability to improve under-performing talent. Darwin Nunez has just two goals in his last 15 games and the Klopp era ended with him in a strop over being on the bench.
Nunez, who Slot is said to have name- checked in an interview with Hughes, will surely benefit from a new face.
One case study is Argentinian striker Santiago Gimenez. Plucked from Mexican side Cruz Azul, Gimenez scored 14 goals across his last two seasons in Liga MX. Under Slot at Feyenoord, he netted 49 in two years and said this month: ‘As a person and coach, Arne is complete.
‘It was a big step to come from Mexico to the Netherlands and he gave me confidence. He always pushed me to be better. I am grateful to Arne. He can talk really well with the players.’
Mail Sport reported how Nunez will continue to be backed by Liverpool, amid reports linking him to Barcelona. The club are not willing to give up on him yet and that is amplified by Slot’s ability to nurture talents.
Another star who might benefit is Luis Diaz, who has also been linked with a move away. Slot is said to ‘love wingers’. At Feyenoord, he turned Luis Sinisterra from a flop into one of their record sales. He is now at Bournemouth. Slot has been appointed as head coach rather than manager, so will not be hands- on with contracts and transfers.
But he will know of the expiring deals of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent AlexanderArnold. All three have just a year left on their contracts.
Van Dijk has alluded to how he wants to see the new manager in action before committing his future.
Salah has long been courted by big-spending Saudi Arabia and they will go all out for him again this summer. But he loves the club, despite a tiff with Klopp a month ago, and wants to continue playing at the top level.
He confirmed that on X when he said: ‘We know trophies are what count and we will do everything possible to make that happen next season. Our fans deserve it and we will fight like hell.’
Alexander-Arnold was visibly emotional at full-time in Klopp’s last game which set the rumour mills whirring, not least in the Kop as he wiped away tears and performed a solo lap of honour. Real Madrid and other clubs are keeping an eye on his situation.
The Scouser has a big affinity to the club and, like Van Dijk, is not going to rush a decision. The Dutchman says no new contract offers are on the table yet.
Slot emerged as Liverpool’s top candidate after a process led by head of research Will Spearman, Edwards and Hughes. His ability to take players to the next level and harness a squad’s potential proved pivotal.
Liverpool’s hierarchy also noted how Slot has over-performed. Before his arrival Feyenoord were in disarray, with just one league title this century. He has returned them to one of Holland’s super-powers.
Slot, who uses a system not dissimilar to Klopp’s, is known to use wacky methods to maximise success, with incoming head of performance Ruben Peeters leading quirky research into gut health and DNA. The boss spends hours analysing opponents and is known to ‘ delete’ negative footage to not harm confidence.
All the numbers point to Slot, but he knows statistics mean little if he does not do his talking on the pitch. Like Moyes at United, he has sizable shoes to fill. But with a solid structure above him, he can slot in just fine.