Arne Slot has confirmed his desire to depart Feyenoord and assume the role of Liverpool manager this summer, succeeding Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool started discussions with Slot and Feyenoord on Wednesday regarding Klopp’s succession, aiming to preempt potential competition from Bayern Munich.
Slot is the preferred choice of Fenway Sports Group chief Michael Edwards and incoming director of football Richard Hughes.
Negotiations are ongoing as Slot still has two years remaining on his Feyenoord contract, and it is estimated that Liverpool would need to pay around £8.6 million in compensation to secure his services this summer.
Feyenoord are resigned to losing their manager and have identified FC Twente boss Joseph Oosting as a potential replacement.
Speaking ahead of Feyenoord’s match against Go Ahead Eagles on Thursday night, the 45-year-old told ESPN: “I’d like to become new Liverpool manager, my decisions is clear.
“Feyenoord and Liverpool are in talks to negotiate, I’m waiting to see what will come out of it. I am confident, waiting for the clubs to reach an agreement.”
Slot initially refrained from addressing questions about his potential move to Liverpool when approached by a reporter while disembarking from the team bus in Deventer.
However, given his unsuccessful negotiations with Tottenham last summer, it seems he is now destined for the Premier League.
Joining the English top flight has long been the aspiration for the ambitious coach, a sentiment he openly acknowledged last year: “The next step will not be another club in Holland. If that is the next step, I’ve failed completely in the upcoming few years.
“A normal next step would be to go abroad and I’ve always said that the best league in the world is the Premier League.”
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