Liverpool FC’s resolution to nominate Arne Slot might not be universally standard, however having adopted him within the Netherlands, Joe Baker is assured it’s an clever transfer.
Any preliminary emotions of concern are comprehensible – a brief drive down the M62 and Liverpool followers can take a look at an ongoing instance of a Dutch coach, who achieved nice issues in his homeland, now struggling towards a tide seemingly pulling him inexorably in direction of the Premier League managerial trapdoor.
In the end, Erik ten Hag could survive and obtain success at Man United. But even then, these questioning the appointment of Feyenoord’s Arne Slot to fill the humongous footwear of Jurgen Klopp can level to many different instances that Dutch coaches have left out the North Sea with their particular tactical concepts and enhanced reputations however did not match the hype.
Step ahead Ronald Koeman (Everton), Frank de Boer (Crystal Palace) and Louis van Gaal (Man United) to call however just a few.
After being closely linked with Xabi Alonso – a former participant who has simply famously gained Bayer Leverkusen’s first Bundesliga and goes for an unprecedented, unbeaten treble – to a coach whom many in England have maybe solely heard of within the final yr is undoubtedly a managerial comedown.
Nonetheless, as somebody who has lived within the Netherlands for nearly 4 years and watched a whole lot of Slot’s Feyenoord for 3 of them – usually in particular person at their splendidly atmospheric De Kuip Stadion – I imagine there’s a lot for Liverpool followers to get enthusiastic about.
The dimensions of the membership
Scan the room of obtainable managerial choices for the daunting job of changing Klopp after which check out Slot’s profile, his fashion of play and his profession to this point, and you’ll see why the membership has moved so shortly to get the 45-year-old.
Firstly, it’s necessary to know that whereas nearly no supervisor could have had the expertise of managing a membership the dimensions of Liverpool, Slot isn’t far off.
Sure, Feyenoord usually are not Liverpool. The Eredivisie is actually not the Premier League. But the Rotterdam membership continues to be considered one of Europe’s most historic groups, attracts in almost 50,000 for each house sport and holds large expectations from followers – one thing that was solely getting extra intense every year that their nice De Klassieker rivals Ajax pulled additional away.
pic.twitter.com/Dy4ItwrUZG
— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord) Could 5, 2024
Akin to Liverpool, the membership is the beating heartbeat of the neighborhood. To steer Feyenoord is to hold the burden of expectation of a complete metropolis. In simply three years, along with his sturdy persona Slot achieved this with aplomb.
He engaged with followers, was not often rattled by the media or strain and understood the requirements anticipated of him and his gamers.
If the Kop is in search of somebody who has lifted trophies, has ambition and might make a direct impression on a squad as a part of a long-term plan, he suits the invoice. Certainly, the success Slot has had in Dutch soccer in his seven years as a coach is outstanding.
Transformative coach
In his first managerial job, he took little Cambuur to a primary KNVB Cup semi-final, famously beating Ajax alongside the best way. After two years as an assistant he grew to become first-team coach of AZ Alkmaar, and in his first season was degree with Ajax on the house straight of the season earlier than COVID-19 struck.
When he arrived at Feyenoord, the membership was in a multitude – fifth the season earlier than, embarrassed in Europe, no cash, a squad stuffed with loanees and their captain Steven Berghuis had been bought to Ajax.
By the top of that preliminary marketing campaign, they’d reached the Europa Convention League closing and the foundations for his attacking, intense, high-pressing fashion had been already in place.
Come the top of his second, Feyenoord had been lifting solely their second league title of the twenty first century. And while they’ve been second finest to PSV Eindhoven in 2023/24, they may nonetheless find yourself with the next factors tally than of their championship-winning season and lifted the KNVB Cup, with Champions League soccer once more secured.
It’s believed that these making the choices about Klopp’s successor turned to information to assist inform them. That is maybe one of many huge causes they’ve been drawn to Slot.
He calls for quite a bit from his gamers, utilizing a 4-2-3-1 form that requires a mixture of depth, intelligence, energy and flexibility. Put merely, his Feyenoord have been excellent to look at. Aggressive and proactive for the total 90 minutes, regardless of the opponent.
But curiously, when wanted he’s greater than prepared to point out tactical flexibility to get a consequence or defend one, be it shifting to a 4-4-2 or reverting to a 4-5-1. His gamers are additionally capable of tackle completely different duties inside a system relying on the state of affairs, shining a highlight on Slot’s capability each to assist gamers perceive a setup and determine different roles the place they will excel.
With Slot, the best way of attaining success is necessary however to not the detriment of attaining it within the first place. Within the final two league campaigns his aspect have scored over 80 targets and conceded 30 or much less.
Little question Ajax are a shadow of their former selves, but the best way Feyenoord thrashed them 4-0 and 6-0 this season was beautiful – the latter consequence ought to have been extra.
It was a supply of frustration for Slot that Feyenoord didn’t qualify from their Champions League group, with poor ending in video games they had been on high of costing them in all their away matches. However, to see a gaggle with no expertise of the competitors going toe-to-toe with Atletico Madrid in their very own yard was one other demonstration of the arrogance Slot can instil.
Getting essentially the most out of gamers
And this brings us to a different important attribute of Slot’s: his participant and squad improvement. The stunning title problem and discuss of a quadruple maybe distracted Liverpool followers from the truth that the present crew is in a interval of transition, and that constructing a brand new post-Klopp aspect will take time.
Subsequently, hiring somebody with a wonderful observe report of bettering gamers and growing squads with a mix of youth and expertise is a big plus.
It’s a powerful feat that he gained the Eredivisie regardless of holding solely 4 gamers from his beginning lineup in that Europa Convention League closing, with virtually no funds to work with.
The commonest instance given is Turkish worldwide Orkun Kokcu. The academy graduate was an inconsistent No. 10 earlier than Slot remodeled him into a flexible, hard-working, ball-playing central midfielder who captained the aspect to final yr’s title.
Underneath Slot’s tutelage, Kokcu’s successor as captain (after he was bought for a report charge) is Lutsharel Geertruida, who has develop into one of the vital gifted younger defenders in Europe, able to enjoying in central defence, right-back and moving into midfield.
The left centre-back David Hancko has in two years with Slot develop into top-of-the-line defenders within the league additionally able to enjoying as an attacking left-back, and one way or the other continues to be going below the radar of Europe’s largest golf equipment.
Underneath Slot, Quilindschy Hartman, Mats Wieffer, Quinten Timber and Geertruida have all develop into Dutch internationals. One of many causes Newcastle loaned their gifted winger Yankuba Minteh to Feyenoord was due to Slot, and his unimaginable progress means many Newcastle followers are actually calling for his inclusion of their squad subsequent season.
And whereas his type has not too long ago dipped, it has been with Slot that Santiago Gimenez has develop into a prolific striker linked with the likes of Arsenal.
There isn’t any motive why Slot can not assist take jewels corresponding to Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Conor Bradley to the subsequent degree or assist refine the erratic Darwin Nunez.
Understanding his function
Lastly, Slot can also be somebody who understands a undertaking and his function inside it. It could have been straightforward for him to depart final summer time when Tottenham got here calling, but he knew his time in Rotterdam was not completed and the choice has clearly been justified.
This dedication to a gaggle is why so many had been prepared to present every part for him and purchase into what he needs.
His man-management is second to none and he locations nice weight in making a optimistic surroundings, which is why Liverpool followers mustn’t fear about how A-Checklist gamers corresponding to Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold will reply to him.
He has an ego and a robust persona but additionally nice empathy. The native hyperlink with Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch can even be invaluable.
You may already image the unfavourable headlines, the opposition followers sharpening their knives, the Slot doubters saying ‘I informed you so’ if he doesn’t get off to begin. Nonetheless, squad improvement and long-term success is a marathon, not a dash.
To revert again to the Man United instance, Liverpool followers ought to take note how shortly it may all go flawed with short-termism and lack of readability.
Arne Slot isn’t the attractive appointment. He isn’t the large managerial title that many followers would have wished. Nonetheless, there are quite a few causes as to why he may nicely be the best one.
* It is a visitor article for This Is Anfield by Joe Baker of The Oranje. Comply with on Twitter @BakerJoe21 and @TheOranje1.
