Virgil van Dijk breaks silence on Arne Slot to Liverpool as Reds close in on appointment
Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has voiced his support for prospective new manager Arne Slot. The Anfield decision-makers are moving towards reaching an agreement with Feyenoord for a fee of compensation to bring Slot to Liverpool at the end of this season.
The Dutch manager is expected to take over from Jurgen Klopp from next month, and Van Dijk believes his countryman, aged 45, is an excellent choice.
Following Liverpool's disappointing defeat to Everton, Van Dijk shared his thoughts with ViaPlay.
He said: "I think Slot is one of the better Dutch coaches at the moment. With the way he plays and the philosophy he has, he can be a Liverpool coach.
"But I read and hear that it is far from complete. We shall see. We will focus on that next season, but that is still a long way off."
Related articles Arne Slot to Liverpool could see Reds sign player they've scouted for years Jurgen Klopp next decision clear as Xavi decides to stay at Barcelona ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - APRIL 7: head coach Arne Slot of Feyenoord Rotterdam looks on during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Feyenoord and AFC Ajax at Feyenoord Stadium on April 7, 2024 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by NESimages/Herman Dingler/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) (Image: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)An initial offer by Liverpool, thought to be around £7.7million including performance-based bonuses, was dismissed by Feyenoord this past Wednesday.
window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v116054"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}});document.addEventListener("tcfLoaded",function(){let el=document.createElement('script');el.setAttribute('src','https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=116054&playerApiId=v116054');document.getElementById('ovp-primis').appendChild(el)})There's word that the club valued their opening bid at £6m upfront plus £1.7m in potential bonuses, but the Dutch outfit want a total package value of closer to £8.5m.
Liverpool also need to replace several members of Klopp's outgoing backroom crew and Slot is keen to bring people over with him.
Slot is expected to bring his assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff and head of performance Ruben Peeters to Liverpool, replacing Andreas Schlumberger. However, John de Wolf, Slot's assistant trainer, is likely to remain in Holland after recently extending his contract at De Kuip.
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Liverpool will also need to find replacements for Pepijn Lijnders, goalkeeping coach John Achterberg, Peter Krawietz, fitness chief Andreas Kornmayer and nutritionist Mona Nemmer among others.
In the meantime, Rafaela Pimenta, Slot's agent, is negotiating his contract with Liverpool. Face-to-face discussions between Liverpool and Feyenoord are expected in the coming days.
Liverpool still have four games left this season, with away matches against West Ham and Aston Villa, and home games against Tottenham and Wolves.
It is thought that Klopp has not been involved in the search for his replacement, with Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes leading the process.
Related articles Liverpool rule Premier League manager out of running to replace Jurgen Klopp Arne Slot beats Jurgen Klopp in three areas as Liverpool face £13m obstacleVirgil van Dijk breaks silence on Arne Slot to Liverpool as Reds close in on appointment
Virgil van Dijk breaks silence on Arne Slot to Liverpool as Reds close in on appointment
Virgil van Dijk breaks silence on Arne Slot to Liverpool as Reds close in on appointment
Virgil van Dijk breaks silence on Arne Slot to Liverpool as Reds close in on appointment
Virgil van Dijk breaks silence on Arne Slot to Liverpool as Reds close in on appointment
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