Liverpool’s hunt for Jurgen Klopp’s successor has finally yielded result with Arne Slot the new man in the picture.
From Rotterdam, South Holland, to the dugout at the iconic Anfield theatre, is a dream transition for a football manager.
The Merseysiders, known for a robust footballing culture that has birthed the Premier League and European giant Liverpool, will welcome a new face in the Reds’ dugout after nine years.
Of course, Arne Slot did not twist it when he said it would be ‘crazy,’ the wildest dream of some sort, for him to transition to the manager of one of the biggest football clubs in Europe.
To him, it was a no-holes-barred approach to the Reds’ interest save a needed pass on the negotiation table with Feyenoord.
With the agreement sealed, Slot is now set to replace Jurgen Klopp in the summer.
Frankly speaking, it is a nostalgic moment for the Reds’ fans and football enthusiasts that Klopp – the blonde-haired German tactician with his usual crisp sunglasses – will draw the curtain after a near decade with Liverpool.
Klopp’s fist-pump celebrations, the histrionics on the touchline, the dramatic post-match press conferences, and his energetic remonstrations will be greatly missed.
READ ALSO: Liverpool Reach Agreement For Arne Slot
Who is the man ‘Arne Slot,’ set to replace the departing legendary manager?
MySportDab takes you through 10 interesting facts you may not have known about Arne Slot
1. “Arne” is a mis-spelled form of his real name
Only shrewed and pedantic folks know Arne Slot’s real name. Across the media, he is popularly known as Arne Slot but that is not the correct spelling of his name.
His full name is Arend Martijn Slot. The International Phonetic Alphabet’s (IPA) pronunciation of the name is different from the alphabet. The “r” and “d” in Arend are silent, hence the word “Arne” was coined to match the phonetics with how his first name is actually pronounced.
2. Slot has a relatively shorter managerial career than his predecessor Klopp
Slot belongs to the newest generation of managers. Unlike his soon-to-leave predecessor Klopp, who tallied a stunning 23 years in football management this year, Slot is just 8 years into football management.
He began his managerial career in 2016 with Dutch second-division side Cambur. There are suggestions already Arne Slot’s relatively virgin adventure in football management may put him on a slight disadvantage with experienced Spanish wizard and Man City boss Pep Guardiola, who is now his main rival.
3. He was a scoring midfielder with an average playing career
Arne had a less-than-stellar playing career that spanned 17 years. He won only two titles – both Dutch second tier titles with Zwolle in 2001 and 2012. However, he was a terrific attacking midfielder who knew how to navigate through tight spaces, position for linkup play, and was prolific in front of goal.
The Liverpool-bound manager scored in every club he played for throughout his career. He recorded 100 league goals in 462 club appearances in the Dutch league. 73 of his goals were scored for Zwolle – the club he began and ended his career.
4. Arne Slot never earned a call-up to the Netherlands national team
Slot’s sterling qualities and prolific goalscoring abilities could not afford the Dutch a chance on international football. He was never called up to the Dutch national team neither did he make an appearance at the youth levels. He began and ended his playing career in club football.
5. He has won Eredivisie Manager of the Year back-to-back
Arne Slot did not have a decorated individual career flustered with awards and trophies but his trail in Dutch football as a manager has been epic. More striking is his sudden and quick rise into the elite category of Dutch managers.
It all began with Feyenoord when he led the team to the Eredivisie title last season. Meanwhile, he was crowned Eredivisie Manager of the Year in his first season with the club in 2021 despite going trophyless. He also bagged the award again after leading Feyenoord to the league title last season.
6. Arne Slot is one of the two most popular personalities in his hometown
Arne Slot was born in Bergentheim – a town located in the Municipality of Hardenberg. With a population of over 3000 people, Slot is recognized as one of the two top personalities known in the area alongside 28-year-old renowned cyclist Kyra Lambering, as per Wikipedia.
7. Slot has managed two elite clubs in his career
Liverpool will be Arne Slot’s first managerial foray outside the shores of the Netherlands. His entire football career both as a player and manager has been steeped in Dutch football.
He has only managed two elite clubs in his career – AZ Alkmaar (2019-2020) and Feyenoord (2021 – ). The fast-rising manager began his managerial career with Cambur in 2016 in the Dutch second division.
8. Arne Slot lost the 2019/20 Eredivisie title to Erik ten Hag’s Ajax on goal difference
The 45-year-old would have counted two Eredivisie titles to his belt with two different clubs by now if not for a narrow miss in 2020. After joining AZ Alkmaar in 2019/20 season, he led the team to go toe-to-toe with Ajax on the Eredivisie title race. With the same number of wins (18), draws (2), and defeats (5), Slot and former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, who is now Man United manager, were stuck on 56 points after 25 games.
The league was subsequently called off midway due to COVID-19 with Ajax awarded the title with a superior goal difference of +7.
9. An inch away from European glory
Arne Slot nearly won his first European title in 2022. He led Feyernood to the final of the maiden edition of UEFA Europa Conference League. They lost by a narrow one-goal margin to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
At Liverpool, the Dutch will not be competing in the European third tier but in the elite tier in UEFA Champions League featuring the best clubs in the continent.
10. He is a husband and father of two
Away from his career, Slot is a happily married man. He is married to Mirjam. They are rarely seen together in public as they prefer keeping their family life off the glares of the media. The marriage is blessed with two children – a boy Joep and a daughter Isa.
