After nine years with the club, Jürgen Klopp’s tenure at Liverpool is drawing to a close, after the German expressed his willingness to drop the coaching role earlier this year. As he prepares to step away from the touchline, the club has already set its sights on the future, with Feyenoord’s Arne Slot set to take over the Reds next season.
In a hunt to find a suitable replacement, fan favorite, and Club’s first choice replacement Xabi Alonso turned down offers from Liverpool and Bayern Munich (where he both previously featured as an outfield player) to retain his role at Bayer Leverkusen where he has now made history. The Reds then shifted their interest to Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim, however, their interest cooled off with the Portuguese more likely to replace David Moyes at West Ham if he considers switching to the Premier League. As of recent weeks, Liverpool is said to have an agreement with Feyenoord over a compensation package to employ the services of Arne Slot, but the Red’s agreement with the Eredivisie outfit for the 45-year-old coach is yet to be officially confirmed.
The Dutchman was Tottenham’s number-one candidate after the departure of Antonio Conte last summer. Still, for some reason, Spurs failed to bring him to North London and settled for the services of Ange Postecoglou. Slot, who has impressed the Dutch Club with his innovative tactics and attacking philosophy, is expected to usher in a new chapter at Anfield. This transition will blend the nostalgia of Klopp’s transformative leadership with the anticipation of Slot’s fresh approach, although the 45-year-old has never managed a team outside the Netherlands.
As a player, Slot’s career wasn’t particularly distinguished. He started his career at PEC Zwolle and eventually made it to the first team, helping the club to the second-tier title in 2002. His performance earned him a move to NAC Breda, where he played for another five years before moving to Sparta Rotterdam. Slot ended his career with an emotional return to Zwolle, where he helped the team to a second league title, marking the only two major silverware he achieved as an outfield player.
On retirement, he was offered the youth-coaching position by Zwolle in 2013. After transitioning to Cambuur’s senior team in an interim role a few years later, Slot’s first major opportunity came when John van den Brom appointed him as an assistant coach at AZ Alkmaar. Two years later, he advanced to the head coach position and made waves in his new role. In the canceled 2019-20 COVID-19 year, AZ were level on points with leaders Ajax, only behind on goal difference, with nine games remaining. In the next season, they finished third below Ajax and PSV.
Arne Slot was appointed Feyenoord’s head coach after the club’s two years of uninspiring football under Dick Advocaat. He transformed Feyenoord completely, leading the club to a third-place finish in the League and the UEFA Conference League finals in his first tenure in charge, where Jose Mourinho’s Roma eventually defeated them at the finals. His performance earned him the Rinus Michels Award for the best Coach in the Netherlands that year.
Ahead of the 2022/23 season, Slot lost almost all of his first-team players in the transfer window but somehow improved his squad while making a sizable profit for the club. He brought in 15 new players who transitioned perfectly to his style of play in their debut season. Slot’s young Feyenoord team went on to win the Eredivisie title with only two defeats in 34 games. This season, they have lived up to the same achievement and would have been Champions of the League if not for PSV’s exceptional and perfect claim to the Eredivisie title. Slot’s Feyenoord beat PSV in the KNVB Cup’s Round of 16 and made it to the finals against NEC, where they won the game with 10 men playing from the 18th minute.
Arne Slot like Jurgen Klopp will oversee his final game with Feyenoord this weekend, when Feyenoord hosts Excelsior. But unlike the crowd present for Klopp’s send-off at Anfield, Slot’s finale will happen in front of a reduced crowd. Feyenoord was sanctioned by the KNVB last month after supporters lit fireworks during their KNVB Cup semi-final victory over FC Groningen. Four blocks of the dedicated home end (the Gerard Meijer Tribune stand) will be empty during Slot’s final game, not that it would make his farewell any less emotional. With a second-place finish and Champions League football already secured next season, the Club and fans will focus on bidding farewell to the departing manager.
END OF ERA: KLOPP’S FINAL EPL GAME IN CHARGE AGAINST WOLVES
Liverpool’s upcoming game against Wolverhampton Wanderers isn’t just another match on the Premier League calendar—it would be a farewell to Liverpool’s era under Jürgen Klopp. After announcing earlier this year that he would be stepping back from the coaching role, Klopp’s departure marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Liverpool’s history. The German manager, who revitalized the club since his arrival on 8th October 2015, will lead the Reds one last time at Anfield on Sunday 19th May 2024.
Liverpool will finish third in the Premier League table, after seeing their title hopes dashed by Manchester City’s relentless consistency and Arsenal’s unwavering determination. Both teams will fight for the 2023/24 EPL title on the final day, with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City two points ahead. Liverpool’s final fixture against Wolves is less about what might have been and more about celebrating what Klopp has achieved in his time with the club.
Since arriving at the Club after seven years with German team Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool has transformed from a team struggling to break into the top four into one of Europe’s most-achieving clubs. He guided them to their sixth Champions League title in 2019, and a year later, ended a 30-year wait for a Premier League trophy. His tactical genius and the ability to forge a deep bond with players and fans will leave a mark on the club.
As Liverpool welcomes Wolves on Sunday, the atmosphere at Anfield will be electric, charged with the emotions of bidding farewell to a beloved manager. Klopp’s Liverpool over the years has been confined to playing relentless and deep pressing football, and are known for their dramatic comebacks. This match will be a final opportunity for the fans to witness the genius orchestrated by Jurgen Klopp from the touchline.
Wolves, currently safe from relegation and sitting comfortably in 13th place in the League table, will be looking to spoil the party and create a new club record. Gary O’Neil’s future as Wolves head coach is shaky and losing four of their last five Premier League games doesn’t raise the bar any higher for him. With something to lose, they might just provide the kind of opposition that could lead to an entertaining game. Liverpool, on the other hand, will be determined to send their manager off with a victory, reflecting the tenacity that has become synonymous with Klopp’s tenure.
With Champion League football already secured for next season, this is far from just being a game, it’s a celebration of Klopp’s legacy and a chance for the squad to honor a leader, who has brought so much success and joy to the club.
As the final whistle blows on Sunday, it won’t just signify the end of a match and the 2023/24 season for Liverpool. It will mark the conclusion of a golden era for Liverpool, one that has reignited the flames of glory in the club. The game against Wolves is the last dance for Klopp on Liverpool colors, a fitting farewell to a journey that has been nothing short of extraordinary.
WHERE TO GET AVAILABLE LIVERPOOL TICKETS
Buy available Liverpool tickets that are currently in high demand at Seatsnet.com. See seat maps and compare prices to ensure you get the best experience. Secondary marketplaces remain your most reliable source for getting a spot in the Games. Note that tickets from official sites are usually sold out due to this high demand.
