Is Arne Slot The Right Manager For Liverpool?
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Jurgen Klopp has run out of strength, and the second Jurgen Klopp does not exist.
Xabi Alonso was the next best option, but since he didn’t want to either, Liverpool decided to do something extraordinary and take the advice of a physicist.
They decided to hire a Doctor of Physics from Harvard. It’s William Spearman, the creator of the analytical system that helped the management a lot in selecting the new coach of the Reds. It is important to emphasize that no club has used this much mathematics when choosing the head of the coaching staff. The unexpected departure of the German coach from Anfield caused a real earthquake because he is leaving the club after nine years and eight trophies won. In the middle of the season, the Reds were in the game for all four trophies in the season, and the club’s management had six months to rearrange both the playing staff and the sports structure with which Klopp dominated in the last decade.
Liverpool first brought back Michael Edwards, the sporting director with whom Klopp won the Premier League after thirty years. Also, Richard Hughes and Edwards were searching for a new coach for the English football giant.
It was clear that Liverpool first looked at former playing legend Xabi Alonso, but he chose to stay at Bayer Leverkusen, with whom he won the historic Bundesliga. Sporting’s Ruben Amorim dropped out due to an exit clause of 20,000,000 euros, but not only that. Namely, at Anfield, they were aware that a possible cooperation with Amorim would bring with it a complete player reconstruction of the team.
That’s why the management turned all eyes on Slot. Instead of looking for a coach with a famous name, they opted for a manager that some of their fans may have never heard of.
Former Feyenoord’s manager has only six Champions League games, while his biggest success is winning the Dutch championship. By the time Klopp took over Liverpool, he had won the Bundesliga and played in the Champions League final.
But Arne Slot’s style of play is most similar to that forced by Klopp. What adorns the Dutchman is the dominant tactical style at the highest level, which is defined by one word—control. Also, the priority was to bring in a coach who would make the most of the current squad, and experts say that Slot will not change much. He has his style; he doesn’t copy anyone, and his football is attractive and attacking. It is different from his predecessor, but their principles are very similar.
Arne Slot’s tenure at Feyenoord was marked by significant achievements.
In his three years at the club, he led the team to the Dutch championship, the national cup, the final of the Conference League, and the quarter-final of the Europa League. These successes did not go unnoticed by other clubs, with Tottenham attempting to secure his services last summer. Despite negotiations, a deal was not reached, and Slot chose to remain at Feyenoord, signing a new contract until 2026. However, the offer from Liverpool was too enticing to pass up.
No one disputes the fact that Slot is a very good manager, but the jump from Feyenoord to Liverpool is as huge as the jump from the Dutch championship to the Premier League.
The defense that Slot’s team will have to break down in England will be far more organized and far more talented than what he has usually faced in his managerial career.
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