Liverpool have taken a significant step towards appointing Arne Slot as their new manager, as sources have confirmed that an agreement has been reached with Dutch club Feyenoord for the highly regarded coach. Slot, aged 45, expressed his interest in joining Liverpool after being identified as the preferred candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp, who will be stepping down at the end of the current season after over eight years in charge.
The two clubs have reportedly finalized a compensation deal for Slot, who still has two years remaining on his contract with Feyenoord. The Eredivisie side had been holding out for a £9 million ($11.25m) fee for Slot, and although the exact figure has not been disclosed publicly, an agreement has been reached, allowing Liverpool to proceed with negotiations for Slot's contract.
Liverpool initiated talks with Feyenoord on Wednesday for Slot, who had signed a three-year deal last year after leading the club to the Eredivisie title. Despite rejecting offers from Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur, Slot expressed his desire to move to the Premier League with Liverpool.
Slot emerged as the frontrunner for the Liverpool managerial position following Xabi Alonso's decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen and a shift in the club's interest away from Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim. Klopp, when asked about his potential successor, spoke highly of Slot, praising his coaching style and character.
Slot's statement regarding the ongoing negotiations indicated his eagerness to join Liverpool, expressing confidence in a positive outcome. The Dutch coach's potential move to Anfield has generated significant interest and anticipation among fans and pundits alike, with many looking forward to seeing his impact on the team's playing style and overall performance.