Liverpool are closing in on the appointment of Arne Slot as their next manager.
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed earlier this season that he will take a sabbatical from management this summer and Liverpool have chosen the 45-year-old Dutch manager as his replacement.
Slot helped Feyenoord win the league title last season and he is highly rated across Europe. However, presenter Richard Keys believes that it will be an underwhelming appointment from the Reds and the fans are unlikely to be excited about Slot.
Keys further highlighted that no Dutch manager has had sustained success in the Premier League and Slot is unlikely to be an exceptional appointment either. He added that the incoming Liverpool manager is Erik ten Hag in disguise.
He said (h/t Mirror): “Right out of left-field. I have no idea where it came from. If you’d given me 30 guesses two weeks ago to name the new Liverpool manager, Arne Slot’s name wouldn’t have been in there.”
Keys then added: “I’m trying to put myself in the shoes of Liverpool fans. Am I excited? No. Am I surprised? Yes. I’m underwhelmed if I’m honest, seriously. I couldn’t give you the name of a Dutch manager who has succeeded in our league yet. There have been one or two, like [Guus] Hiddink or [Louis] van Gaal and Ruud Gullit, who have had limited success, but nobody over a period of time has had sustained success. I think he’s Erik ten Hag in disguise.”
Erik ten Hag has had his fair share of criticism
The Manchester United manager has been criticised heavily since his arrival. He has not been able to guide Manchester United to major trophies so far and they have struggled to perform at a high-level consistently.
Slot will be under tremendous pressure and it remains to be seen whether he can get Liverpool firing immediately. He will be replacing one of the best managers in Premier League history and he will be expected to guide Liverpool to trophies.
The Reds have an exciting squad and the resources to sign quality players. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world and they will be expected to push for domestic trophies and league titles. It remains to be seen whether Slot can settle in quickly and hit the ground running in the Premier League.
There is no doubt that he has proven his pedigree in the Dutch league, but a move to the Premier League is a major step up. It remains to be seen whether he can deal with that pressure and deliver.
