Jurgen Klopp has given Arne Slot his seal of approval as Liverpool look to appoint the Feyenoord coach as his successor.
Liverpool are locked in talks with Feyenoord over a move for Slot, who joined the Dutch giants in 2021 and led them to the Eredivisie title – just their second since the turn of the century – in 2022-23.
Slot – who was linked with vacancies at Leeds United and Tottenham last year – also led Feyenoord to KNVB Cup glory last week, though they look destined to lose their league title to PSV this term.
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On Thursday, Slot confirmed negotiations had taken place between Feyenoord and Liverpool, saying he was keen to join the Reds and was “confident” a deal would be struck.
Klopp was asked about Slot taking his place at a press conference to preview Saturday’s Premier League trip to West Ham, and he had nothing but praise for the man likely to succeed him.
𝐀𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐭:
‘Blij met wat ik vanavond heb gezien’#gaefey
— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) April 25, 2024
“I didn’t read anything, but I was told Arne said something. I’m not involved in the process,” Klopp said.
“But what I like a lot about it – if he is the one – is that he really wants to take the job, he wants to go for it and is excited about it.
“I like the way his team plays football, and I can’t say it definitely, but I like all the things I hear about him as a guy. Some people I know do know him, and they tell me he’s a really good guy.
“Good coach, good guy. I’m looking forward, for the club, if he is the solution. If they’ve got their man, then I’m more than happy. It’s not up to me to judge but it all sounds really good.”
Slot looks unlikely to take over the Reds as Premier League champions, with Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Everton seeing them lose further ground on Arsenal and Manchester City in the title race.
We travel to take on West Ham United this Saturday ⚪🟢 @UPS | #ad pic.twitter.com/dCkKKW9vCi
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 25, 2024
Liverpool now sit three points adrift of Arsenal with a far inferior goal difference, while City lead the Reds by two points with a game in hand.
With Liverpool’s title hopes appearing slim, Klopp acknowledges an underwhelming end to his nine-year reign may even take the pressure off his successor.
Asked what Slot could expect if he gets the job, Klopp said: “The best job in the world, the best club in the world.
“Now it looks like we’re not finishing on a high, so there’s even space for improvement. Great job, great team, fantastic people. Whoever takes the job will take a really interesting job.”
