This could be Rotterdam or anywhere. After a weekend immersed with seasoned Feyenoord observers in this sun-kissed port city observing Arne Slot up close at De Kuip, it is clear his methods can be adaptable for the seismic step-up he faces in Liverpool. Or Rome.
It is a view shared by Dutch football legend Marco van Basten, who said on Slot: ‘If you get AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord to play (good) football, you will also get big clubs to play (good) football. I think it will only be easier for him (at Liverpool) because you have better players.’
As far as references go, Van Basten is a strong start. The man he is poised to replace in the Anfield hotseat, Jurgen Klopp, is not bad either. The German has publicly endorsed Slot, labelling him a ‘good coach and good guy’.
Glowing reviews continue from all corners of the footballing world but perhaps better placed is star man Santi Gimenez, the 26-goal striker who is one of many success stories of Slot’s time here after being plucked from the Mexican league. Big clubs in Europe are keeping tabs.
Mail Sport asked what makes his manager so special and Gimenez replied: ‘It was a big step (for me) to come from Mexico to the Netherlands and he gave me confidence. He always pushed me to be better. I am really grateful to Arne, I hope he can do well everywhere.
Arne Slot is poised to replace Jurgen Klopp in the Liverpool hotseat at the end of the season
Slot’s received glowing references including from the man he is expected to replace in Klopp
Studying Slot at Feyenoord, it is clear his methods can be adaptable for the seismic step-up he is set to face
‘As a person and as a coach, he is complete. He understands when to tell you that you did well, and also when to tell you if you did bad. That is a big advantage of Arne, he can talk really well with the players. Arne’s style is attack, attack, attack.’
The Argentine speaks good English but could not help himself accidentally slipping into the past tense when talking about Slot’s tenure. ‘He deserves the world, he made wonderful memories,’ he added. ‘We are happy he was – well, is – our coach.’
Judging by the full-time scenes at De Kuip after Sunday’s 5-0 thrashing of PEC Zwolle, he will not be their coach for much longer. He greeted ultras in the Gerard Meijer Tribune in a style that was reminiscent of Klopp’s customary fist bumps to the Kop.
Slot was pushed towards the stand, which is named after a former club masseur voted as…