The biggest World Cup snubs: A list of footballers left out of their countries’ World Cup squad
Football
Rene Otinga
updated at April 24, 2024 at 1:36 PM
Another big name has been linked with the Liverpool job.
His name is Arne Slot, the current Feyenoord manager, who is reportedly highly-rated by the Reds.
According to The Times, the Eredivisie champions cancelled a press conference scheduled for Wednesday as rumours of potentially losing their manager persisted.
Slot, 45, is said to be a strong candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp, with the Dutchman reportedly checking several boxes for the Liverpool bosses.
But who exactly is Arne Slot? Sports Brief highlights some key facts about the tactician.
The biggest World Cup snubs: A list of footballers left out of their countries’ World Cup squad
Football
As a player, Slot never experienced any league outside his home country – the Netherlands.
Before retiring from the game in 2012, he had stints with PEC Zwolle, NAC Breda, and Sparta Rotterdam.
Liverpool is not the first English club to express interest in Slot.
In the recent past, the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds, and Chelsea made advances towards him, but Feyenoord fended off interest by offering the former PEC Zwolle player a deal that runs up to 2026.
This has, however, done little to tie down Slot, who has openly expressed the desire to take the next step of his career.
Despite being an attacking midfielder as a player, Slot’s team Feyenoord has been frightening in defence.
They boast the second-best defence in the division this season, having conceded just 23 goals. Only league leaders, PSV Eindhoven, have conceded less.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer: Is CR7 leaving Manchester United and which clubs are likely to acquire him?
Football
Like Klopp, Slot is a huge fan of the pressing game, which has proven to be one of the most successful across Europe’s top five leagues.
This season, Feyenoord players have made 722 interceptions, compared to Liverpool’s 706 at the time of publication.
Still on Slot’s tactics, the Dutchman is described as a huge believer in Pep Guardiola’s possession-based approach to the game.
He is also a penchant for a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation, which is very familiar at Liverpool.
Sections of fans who are familiar with his style of play have dubbed him the ‘Dutch Pep Guardiola’.
He spoke to UEFA about his brand of football, saying:
“We are an attack-minded team that likes to have a lot of the ball, and we play with a lot of intensity. When we don’t have the ball, we want to win it back as quickly as possible by being aggressive and pressing to win back possession. I think we are a team that is difficult to beat.”
A list of Muslim footballers who converted to Christianity
Football
Perhaps the strongest credential in Slot’s CV is the fact that he has experience in beating top flight clubs to a title.
After his appointment at Feyenoord in 2021, the Dutch giants have won two trophies, including a famous Eredivisie title last season.
The fact that he came with instant success at the Pride of Rotterdam could be a major incentive for Liverpool, who are arguably back to their competitive best in recent years.
Sports Brief also previously reported on icon, Robin Van Persie’s potential first managerial job.
The former Arsenal and Manchester United man currently works at his former club, Feyenoord.
However, he is reportedly being courted by Heerenveen to take over from Kees van Wonderen.