By Aaron Conlon
On the 24th of April, The Times’ Paul Joyce, revealed that Liverpool had started negotiations with Dutch manager Arne Slot as the Reds look to find a successor to Jurgen Klopp.
In an exclusive interview with The Redmen TV, former Liverpool player Joao Carlos Teixeira told of his experiences with Arne Slot whilst he played for him at Feyenoord.
When asked of Slot’s first impression of him and other players at Feyenoord, Teixeira told us: “He is easygoing, honest, straightforward, knows what he wants from the team and is ready for the job.”
What’s it like to play for Arne Slot? w/former Liverpool player Joao Carlos Teixeira
This is definitely a pleasing sign seeing that Slot has the ability to slide right in and take the challenge on like it’s nothing, especially, as any manager will certainly struggle to fill Klopp’s boots and reciprocate the strong relationship he has forged with the club.
Teixeira also spoke highly of Slot’s man-management skills, especially when he encountered tough times himself while injured: “He treated me so well, very clear, serious and respectful. He motivated me. I gave 100% and always knew where I stood.”
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One ability of Klopp’s that is often highlighted is his ability to squeeze that extra 10% out of players, to make them the players no other manager could. Teixiera praising Slot for his own ability to do the same, to get everything out of a player will be a much-needed requirement for any future boss. The Portuguese attacker seemed to repeat the same word when talking about his style of play…’intensity.’ A word so synonymous with Klopp’s heavy metal football that Liverpool’s own, Pep Lijnders, named his book detailing Liverpool’s 2021/22 season ‘Intensity’.
He also spoke of Slot’s own tactical beliefs: “The way he defends, the way he attacks, the intensity he puts on it. Attack-minded positive football, high pressure, very high defensive line. But at the same time worried with the defensive side, you can defend when you are attacking if you are in the right position, in the right spot. You can straight away get the ball from it. Very careful on the details with the defensive side.”
When asked of Slot’s management strengths he quoted: “He speaks well. Good English. Great relationships with players. Normal guy, with no ego. He likes to be a part of the process.”
Everyone in football knows Klopp’s significance in the process at Liverpool, whether it be his relationship with supporters, his man management skills or his tactical genius. To hear how Slot wants “to be a part of the process” and how he is just a “normal guy” will be traits that Liverpool supporters will be very pleased with.
“Klopp is on a different level right now, Arne is on the way there for sure. He can really make it at Liverpool with what the club gives him. He has the most experience (out of himself, Xabi Alonso and Ruben Amorim). The right man for the job. I really believe he will be successful.”
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