Arne Slot has provided insight into Liverpool’s transfer strategies and acknowledged the significant challenge of succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
Formerly with Feyenoord, Slot is Liverpool’s first head coach, a new role stemming from a structural change in the club’s sporting hierarchy.
He will collaborate closely with the new sporting director, Richard Hughes, to build the squad for the upcoming season. Slot emphasized that his experience in European football has equipped him for this role, where he will work alongside Hughes to secure the best transfer deals.
Talking to reporters, Slot said: “For me, it is not a change. In Europe, we work like this, and I’ve worked at Feyenoord and my former clubs in a similar way. There are not many clubs in the world where one person decides everything. It is a collaboration between many people.
I don’t think there are many sporting directors who bring in players the manager or head coach doesn’t like, and it is the other way around.”
While Slot avoided specifying the exact areas he intends to strengthen, he expressed confidence in the existing squad’s quality and potential.
“Not in specific numbers. There is already a real good team, there were a few new signings last season,” he said.
“So the longer a team plays together if there is a good head coach normally you will see things will improve. It is fortunate I am going to a club where normally not many transfers go out. At Feyenoord, it was almost normal (that) eight, nine, 10 players left the club after every season so it is more difficult for a manager to get this progress.
But here I am expecting him (Hughes) to keep most of our players and I think he wants that himself and from there we can only build.”
Taking over from Klopp, who enjoyed immense success during his nine-year tenure, Slot acknowledged the significant expectations placed on him.
“They are big shoes to fill, but you can look at it as inheriting a squad and a team which has a winning culture,” Slot remarked.
“One of the reasons to come here – and there are always more reasons for this – but I do feel we have a real good squad, and as a manager you want to work at a club with good players with an opportunity to win something. The past has shown there is a possibility to win some trophies.
“I like to work with players and like to develop them but I like to win as well, and at this club there is an opportunity to win. It always helps to get to know the city but I think, as a manager, it helps even more if you win most of your games. If we do that in the best possible way it will probably give me some time as well, and if I have time then I can get to know the city a bit better. But it all starts with improving the team and winning as many games as we can.”
When asked about Klopp’s self-description as “the normal one” Slot reflected on the profound impact the German manager had on the club.
“It’s special what Jurgen did to this club,” he said. “When he arrived, he said he was the ‘normal one,’ but what made him special was the impression he left behind, winning trophies and his playing style – the fans loved it.
Maybe he said he was the normal one, but I think the fans saw him differently. What he did for the club was more than normal.”
Slot’s appointment heralds a new chapter for Liverpool, building on the robust foundation established by Klopp. The Dutchman’s focus on teamwork and continuity indicates a balanced approach to sustaining Liverpool’s competitive edge while promoting long-term success.
As the new head coach takes on his role, fans will be keen to observe how Slot’s strategies develop and how he manages the challenges and opportunities of leading one of the world’s most renowned football clubs.