Welcome to the Arne Slot era, Liverpool fans.
The Dutchman is in at Anfield, and Jurgen Klopp is off in a blaze of glory, enjoying life’s finer things – competitive padel and Taylor Swift.
Slot sat down with Liverpool’s media team for his first interview at the club on Wednesday, giving a mighty fine account of himself, his vision and more.
Here are our five predominant takeaways from that interview.
In one of his final acts as Liverpool manager, Klopp chose to serenade his successor on the Anfield pitch, disrupting his own farewell celebrations to kick-start Slot’s tenure.
Slot confirmed he has spoken with Klopp about the task on his hands at Anfield, though stressed the German had left Liverpool ‘in a good place’.
“He gave me more than a few good tips but I think what stood out for me was that he was so happy for me and that – and I think he said this in the media as well – he would be my biggest fan from now on because he supports Liverpool in the best possible way, and you don’t see this very often. So, it says a lot about his character, the way he handled this situation as well,” Slot said of Klopp.
Liverpool have done a mighty fine job at telling the world that Slot is coming in as their ‘head coach’, rather than ‘manager’.
It’s largely semantics, but there is a slight distinction. Klopp, as manager, was central to everything at the club, but Slot will mainly be tasked with what happens at the training ground.
However, he’s unconcerned by this prospect and insists he’s familiar with playing such a role in a club’s wider system, while he is also still given input over transfers alongside new sporting director Richard Hughes.
“For me, it is normal because this is the way it is in Europe and in Holland,” Slot claimed. “I don’t think there is much of a change between a head coach and a manager, it’s just that by being a head coach I can go in fully to the things I would like to do.
“So, work with the team, prepare the team in the best possible way, and me and Richard are going to work together when it comes to transfers but not only the two of us – there is a big backroom staff included in this as well.
“I think for me it is the way I have worked always and it for me is the ideal way of working because I can use the most of my time by working with the team and the time that is left will probably be a bit for the family and a bit to…
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