Feyenoord boss, Arne Slot has been named as Liverpool’s new manager, succeeding German Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

Speaking shortly after he was confirmed as Liverpool’s new head coach, Slot says the opportunity to work at one at of the “biggest clubs in the world “was “difficult to ignore”.

The Reds agreed a compensation deal worth £9.4m with Feyenoord in April after the 45-year-old was identified as the man to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

Klopp, who had been in charge of Liverpool since October 2015, left the club following their season-finale win against Wolves on Sunday.

After the game, the 56-year-old German called on Liverpool fans to get behind their new boss, chanting “Arne Slot, na na na na na”.

Slot’s three-year contract at Liverpool will officially start on 1 June, subject to a work permit.

“It is certainly not an easy decision to close the door behind you at a club where you have experienced so many wonderful moments and worked successfully with so many wonderful people,” Slot told Feyenoord’s club website.

“But as a sportsman, an opportunity to become a head coach in the Premier League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, is difficult to ignore.”

The Dutchman led Feyenoord to the 2022-23 Eredivisie title, while this season they have won the Dutch Cup and finished second in the league.

The club’s general manager Dennis te Kloese said: “At Feyenoord you don’t like to let go of a trainer who has meant as much to the club as Arne.

“At the same time, we understand very well that working at a club like Liverpool is a special and unique opportunity for him. With that in mind, we started the conversation to see if we could find a solution together, and in the end we succeeded.”

It is believed that the attacking style of Slot’s teams, his personality and his ability to develop players were key factors in making him Liverpool’s top choice for the job.

Slot took over as Feyenoord manager in 2021 and confirmed his interest in managing in the Premier League when he was linked with Tottenham in 2023.

Anfield

Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, who guided Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title this season, was also linked with the position at Anfield.

But the 42-year-old Spaniard ended speculation in March when he said he would remain with Leverkusen for the time being.

Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim was also reported to have been a contender to take over from Klopp, who announced in January he would leave Anfield at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Slot’s route to Liverpool
A former midfielder, Slot spent his entire playing career in the Netherlands, making more than 100 appearances for both FC Zwolle and NAC Breda.

After retiring from playing, he began his coaching career as a youth coach at PEC Zwolle before moving to SC Cambuur to become an assistant manager.

He moved to AZ Alkmaar in 2017 and stepped up to become manager two years later. In his first season in charge, they were second, level on points with leaders Ajax, when the Covid-19 pandemic brought the season to a premature end.

He was sacked in December 2020 when it emerged that he had been negotiating with Feyenoord.

Slot took charge of Feyenoord in the summer of 2021 and won the Eredivisie with the club in 2022-23 and triumphed in the Dutch Cup this season.

The Slot era will officially start on 1 June and he will arrive after a thorough recruitment process held by the Reds.

Liverpool’s research, which included looking at data and character among other markers, resulted in Slot emerging as their preferred candidate.

His record with Alkmaar and Feyenoord pointed to a manager able to over-perform compared with the resources at his disposal, an impressive record for developing players and a style of football Liverpool think suits their squad.

Klopp was renowned for his ‘heavy metal’ game and the Reds believe Slot will bring a dynamic, high energy and possession based football to the club.

He has also been given the title of head coach rather than manager in a move that the Anfield club believe reflects the modern game and works better from a structural perspective.

Slot has a hard act to follow in Klopp and we will find out next season if the data matches up with results and performances on the pitch.

Manchester City are champions of the 2023/24 English Premier League season after defeating West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad on the campaign’s final day.

The Citizen clinched the title after finishing just two points over Arsenal, who defeated Everton 2-1 at the Emirate Stadium.

The latest title triumph is Man City’s fourth consecutive title, a record-setting achievement for Pep Guardiola’s side.

It is also the club’s 10th EPL title and the sixth since Guardiola took over the team in 2016.

A Phil Foden brace and Rodri’s shot in second-half ensured Man City ended the season with 91 points over Arsenal’s accumulated total of 89.

The two teams’ performances took the title race to the season’s final day, and the Citizens executed their plans to perfection.

Arsenal had to come from a goal down against Everton, but their effort proved short of the indefatigable champions.

Idrissa Gueye put Everton ahead early in the first half after his freekick was deflected past David Raya by Declan Rice into the net. The Gunners struck back three minutes later when Takehiro Tomiyaso stroked the ball home after Martin Odegaard teed him up.

Kai Havertz completed the come-back for Mikel Arteta’s side with one of the final kicks of the game.

Elsewhere, Jurgen Klopp got a winning farewell in his final game at Anfield, thanks to a Liverpool 2-0 victory over ten-men Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Chelsea confirmed their return to European football next season with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth, while Manchester United will hope to win the FA Cup for a chance to play European football next season after finishing eighth in the league despite a 2-0 win at Brighton.

Luton join Burnley and Sheffield United to be relegated from the EPL following a 4-2 loss to Fulham at home.

RESULTS

Arsenal 2-1 Everton
Brentford 2-4 Newcastle United
Brighton 0-2 Manchester United
Burnley 1-2 Nott. Forest
Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 5-0 Aston Villa
Liverpool 2-0 Wolves
Luton 2-4 Fulham
Manchester City 3-1 West Ham
Sheffield Utd 0-3 Tottenham

Manchester City are champions of the 2023/24 English Premier League season after defeating West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad on Sunday. 

The Citizen clinched the title after finishing just one point over Arsenal, who defeated Everton 2-1 at the Emirate Stadium.

Details later…