Liverpool have completed the deal.
“Liverpool have completed the signing of Arne Slott,” Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, who is well versed in transfer market news, reported on Monday (Aug. 29). Earlier, Romano had reported that “a compensation agreement has been finalized” between Liverpool and Slott.
Liverpool will part ways with manager Jürgen Klopp after nine years at the helm at the end of this season. In January, Klopp announced his sudden resignation via the club’s official website. He announced his intention to hang up his boots at the end of the season.
At the time, Klopp said: “This news may shock many people when they first hear it. But I can explain clearly. I love everything about Liverpool, I love everything about the city, I love everything about our supporters, I love the team and the staff. But the reason I have taken this decision is because I have convinced myself that it is right for me to leave the club.”
Klopp took charge of Liverpool in 2015 and turned the club around from a difficult period. In 2018-19, the Reds won the UEFA Champions League (UCL), and the following season they won the coveted English Premier League title.
And now, Klopp is leaving Liverpool. The Reds quickly set out to find a replacement. At the top of the list was Xabi Alonso, who is currently leading Bayer 04 Leverkusen to an unbeaten record this season. Alonso, who also wore a Liverpool shirt as a player, was the subject of intense interest from not only Liverpool but also Bayern Munich. However, the Brazilian announced that he would be staying at Leverkusen, ending any speculation of a Liverpool appointment.
The Reds then turned their attention to Hubeng Amorim. He was a young mastermind who was successfully managing Sporting Lisbon in Portugal. However, negotiations broke down with Amorim’s side. Amorim wanted a three-year contract and a salary of £10 million per year, which Liverpool refused to accept.
In the end, the final choice appears to have been Slott. Liverpool reportedly paid up to €11 million ($16.2 million) in compensation for Slott, who still has time left on his contract with Feyenoord.
Slott, who has been in charge of Feyenoord since 2021, led the club to the Dutch Eredivisie title last season. It was the club’s first title in six years, breaking the 토토 duopoly of Ajax and PSV Eindhoven.
Shortly after winning the title, he was on the radar of Tottenham, who were looking for a new manager to replace Antonio Conte, who was fired midway through last season. Slott was favorably disposed to the Spurs.
Despite being the favorite to join Spurs, Slott signed a contract extension with Feyenoord. Local media, including British outlet Sky Sports, claimed that “it feels like Slott used Tottenham to re-sign with Feyenoord”. Furthermore, Feyenoord suddenly demanded €20 million in compensation from the club, including Slott. Overwhelmed by the amount of compensation, Tottenham eventually withdrew their offer for Slott and appointed Enze Postecoglou.
