Liverpool and Feyenoord are heading towards finalising an agreement for Arne Slot to become Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Anfield.
Discussions have been moving forward in a positive manner, and although Dutch sources have cited a price of £9.85 million, Sky Sports News has reported that a final sum has not yet been agreed upon, with negotiations still underway.
Slot, who guided the Dutch side Feyenoord to just their second Eredivisie championship of the century last season, was a primary candidate for Liverpool from the beginning of a thorough and lengthy selection process, ultimately leading the list after the club completed due diligence on all essential criteria.
Xabi Alonso, the leading choice for every major club looking for a new manager this summer, took himself out of the running by choosing to stay with Bayer Leverkusen.
Sporting Lisbon head coach Ruben Amorim was included on Liverpool’s shortlist to replace Jurgen Klopp, but despite external speculation about his candidacy, the club consistently stated that he was neither the leading nor the preferred choice.
He met several criteria, but his tactical style, especially his preference for a three-back formation, along with his long-term strategic vision, were not compatible with the existing team or the philosophy entrenched across all age levels at Liverpool.
Claims that financial concerns influenced Amorim not being the top choice to take over from Jurgen Klopp have been dismissed as fictitious.
There has been skepticism regarding the motives behind the 39-year-old’s highly publicized meeting with West Ham, with one intermediary hinting that Amorim was attempting to pressure Liverpool by demonstrating that he had other opportunities.
Even before this, the club had already determined that Slot was a better match for their football style, and also excelled as a communicator and connector.
The character references obtained for each candidate also confirmed him as a top choice.
Slot has since expressed confidence that an agreement would be reached for him to move to the Premier League.
“Everybody understands Feyenoord will want to receive as much money as they can get, but I get the feeling that they will not begrudge me this move,” he said.
“I expect that things will become clearer over the next few days.”
