With present Feyenoord supervisor Arne Slot set to take over from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, we spoke to Dutch soccer journalist Michael Statham (@EredivisieMike) to be taught extra in regards to the new head coach.
Why do you assume Liverpool had been keen on Slot?
Folks imagine that he’s similar to Jurgen Klopp with taking part in model, a bit of little bit of charisma about him as effectively. Some comparisons as effectively have been made with Pep Guardiola.
I believe he is superb however I’m not going to exit and say he’s pretty much as good as him already. In fact he can’t have confirmed himself but however, Arne Slot, making an attempt to speak about him cautiously, I do assume he’s that good.
I do assume he’s up there, by far one of the best supervisor within the Netherlands and has been for 4 years now, and I’m saying that with, after all, Erik ten Hag having come from the identical nation.
Slot is somebody who’s obsessive about taking part in model, an excellent man-manager and I believe he’s received what it takes.
Ought to followers fear that he’s unproven exterior the Netherlands?
I believe what he’s been capable of present within the Netherlands is that just about each season he’s been a head coach, he’s had a hit.
Whether or not that was profitable the Dutch league final season, the Dutch Cup this season, or going again so far as 2017 with second-tier facet Cambuur – he managed to complete third having taken over mid-table and reached the semi-finals of the Dutch Cup.
He’s all the time been capable of stretch gamers, folks, what the membership can obtain and stamp his authority on the historical past of golf equipment, whether or not that was with AZ Alkmaar or Feyenoord.
I believe that what units him aside is the best way that he performs soccer, although, and I believe that’s why Liverpool need him.
Does Liverpool’s squad match his model or is an overhaul wanted?
I don’t assume an overhaul is required. I additionally don’t assume it could be proper to match him to Klopp and say he must have the identical influence.
He likes to play a 4-2-3-1, however in Dutch model that’s a 4-3-3 principally.
Out of the highest seven leagues in Europe, his facet Feyenoord have probably the most turnovers of any membership – second place is Liverpool.
Recoveries as effectively, so when it comes to coming again into video games they’re all the time fighters. They prefer to pressure themselves upon opposition and he’s only a very attacking coach.
I do assume that he’s somebody that likes who likes to make use of the width, when it comes to getting further gamers ahead to open up areas, making area within the centre of the pitch utilizing a double pivot.
Liverpool, no doubt, would in all probability take a backward step after him coming in, however it’s important to count on that a bit of bit with the change.
I believe the best way that he will get to full-back to press up excessive with the winger is a mark of the best way he will get these sides to play.
Does he all the time follow his system or does he adapt to the opposition?
On the entire he sticks to what he has. Hardly has he modified the formation however he often has put a second striker on and put him within the No. 10 place.
He does rotate the place the gamers play, so Mats Wieffer is a midfielder however once they’re chasing a sport, he’ll drop in at centre-back and so they’ll put an additional attacking participant on.
He does these sort of issues, however they’re fairly predictable when chasing the sport.
Any gamers he would possibly prefer to carry with him?
Quilindschy Hartman is a good left-back, a expertise of the long run. He’ll be the Netherlands left-back for a very long time to come back.
Wieffer has finished fairly effectively this season, however I don’t know the way a lot greater his ceiling is.
• READ HERE: Feyenoord defender Lutsharel Geertruida “would love” Liverpool switch
Santiago Gimenez has been nice for Feyenoord for a season-and-a-half however there’s no-one that you just’re pondering ‘yeah, he’s going to take him with him. He’s good’.
However they have a number of superb gamers who’ve the potential maybe to play for a workforce like Liverpool.
Massive thanks go to Michael for his perception. You possibly can observe Michael Statham on X (Twitter) @EredivisieMike.
