By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Liverpool have reached an agreement in principle with Feyenoord for their head coach Arne Slot to become Jurgen Klopp’s successor.
Fullview understands the two clubs have settled on a compensation package for the 45-year-old, who had two years left on his contract.
Slot, who last year led the Dutch club to only their second league title this century, has said it is “clear I would like to go to Liverpool”.
On Thursday, he said he was confident a deal would be agreed.
“Everybody understands Feyenoord will want to receive as much money as they can get, but I get the feeling that they will not begrudge me this move,” he said.
“I expect that things will become clearer over the next few days.”
Klopp is standing down at the end of the season after nine years at the helm of Liverpool.
The German manager has become one of the most influential head coaches in the club’s history and taken them to being regular title challengers.
Klopp, who had no role in the process to recruit his replacement, said at a news conference on Friday there is much to admire about the way Slot’s teams approach the game.
“I like the way his team play football. All the things I hear about him as a guy say he’s a good guy,” Klopp said.
“I like that a lot – good guy, good coach and looking forward for the club if he is the solution. I’m more than happy, it sounds all really good.”
Asked about the job Slot would be taking on if appointed, Klopp added: “Best job in the world, best club in the world. Now it looks like [Slot is] helped by [Liverpool] not finishing on a high so there’s space for improvement.”
A former midfielder, Slot spent his entire playing career in the Netherlands, making more than 100 appearances for both FC Zwolle and NAC Breda.
After retiring from playing, he began his coaching career as a youth coach at PEC Zwolle before moving to SC Cambuur to become an assistant manager.
He moved to AZ Alkmaar in 2017 and stepped up to become manager two years later. In his first season in charge, they were second, level on points with leaders Ajax, when the Covid-19 pandemic brought the season to a premature end.
He was sacked in December 2020 when it was claimed that he had been negotiating with Feyenoord.
With inputs from SkySports.