Arne Slot says sometimes life provides opportunities where “you have to listen” ahead of his anticipated appointment as Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool.
The Athletic reported in April Liverpool and Feyenoord have agreed a compensation package that will allow Slot to take charge at Anfield.
Speaking after Feyenoord beat PEC Zwolle 5-0, the 45-year-old said he watched the beginning of Liverpool’s victory over Tottenham Hotspur earlier on Sunday before his side’s Eredivisie win.
“I saw a few minutes of the game but we had to come to the stadium,” Slot said. “Just the first goal, a great goal. It was a good win from Liverpool. If the official confirmation is there, and I go there, I will watch a lot of games from them.
“Sometimes in life, opportunities come along and you have to listen. I have made that choice for myself. In the next days and weeks, you will see the announcement.”
Slot attracted interest from Tottenham last season before he opted to remain with Feyenoord, having guided the club to the Eredivisie title.
He continued: “Last year I made the choice to stay and now, I probably made another choice.”
All you need to know about Arne Slot
Slot confirmed last month that he wanted the Liverpool job, telling ESPN before Feyenoord’s league win over Go Ahead Eagles that he was “confident” an agreement would be reached between the two sides.
Liverpool placed emphasis on discretion and showing respect to Feyenoord ahead of the Dutch Cup final on April 21, a match they then won against Nijmegen, and their interest in Slot only became apparent subsequently.
Klopp announced in January he would be departing Liverpool at the end of the season after nine years in charge. The 56-year-old guided Liverpool to their 2019 Champions League triumph followed by a maiden Premier League title in 2020.
Liverpool beat Tottenham 4-2 at Anfield thanks to goals from Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah, Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo.
Meanwhile Feyenoord’s victory leaves them second in Eredivisie, with PSV Eindhoven securing the league title on Sunday thanks to a 4-2 win over Sparta Rotterdam.
GO DEEPER
What I learnt meeting Arne Slot: charismatic, innovative – but a big bet by Liverpool
(Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images)
