"Better than Pep", "Ten Hag regen" - Fans react as Arne Slot reportedly set to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool
Arne Slot will reportedly succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and this has been met with polarizing responses from fans on social media.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Slot will replace Klopp when the German exits this summer. The Reds have agreed a compensation package with Eredivisie side Feyenoord to bring the Dutch tactician to Anfield.
Slot was eager to become Liverpool's new manager when the Merseysider's interest in him surfaced. He went public with his desire to take over the Premier League giants:
"I’d like to become new Liverpool manager, my decisions is clear."
Slot has a huge job on his hands as he'll be succeeding one of the Reds' greatest-ever managers. Klopp wasn't only a hugely popular figure at Anfield but across Merseyside during his nine-year reign.
However, Slot's stock has risen during his time in charge of Feyenoord. He guided the De Kuip outfit to the Eredivisie title last season and has brought the KNVB Cup to Rotterdam during the ongoing campaign. The Pride of the South have won 94 of 145 games under his tutelage.
The Dutchman will go toe-to-toe with high-profile coaches once he arrives in the Premier League. Liverpool are trying to stop Pep Guardiola's Manchester City's continuous stranglehold on English football.
Slot will also square off with his fellow countrymen Erik ten Hag in one of the Premier League's fiercest rivalries. That's if the former Ajax coach stays at Manchester United this summer.
One fan reacted to Romano's report by suggesting Slot was Ten Hag 2.0:
"Ten Hag regen in the Premier League."
Another fan hailed the Dutch tactician and claimed he was better than Guardiola:
"He's better than Pep."
Here's how other fans on X (formerly Twitter) reacted as Liverpool closes in on appointing Slot:
"Rename it as Bald Premier League," one fan joked alluding to Slot joining Guardiola and Ten Hag in the English top-flight.
"He will slot in nicely," another fan made a punny joke.
"I hope he won't bottle like JK (Klopp) has done this season," one fan wrote.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it’s time to have fun," a Manchester United fan poked fun by posting a picture of Red Devils managerial flop David Moyes.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp gave a glowing verdict of his likely successor Arne Slot
Klopp was adamant that he had no say over Liverpool's hunt for his successor but expressed his admiration for Slot. The German said (via Sky Sports):
"What I like is that, if he is the one, he wants the job. He is excited. I like the way his team plays football. All the things I hear about him are that he's a good guy. I'm looking forward for the club if he is the solution. It all sounds really good."
Klopp arrived at Anfield in October 2015 off an impressive reign at Borussia Dortmund. The charismatic coach guided BvB to two Bundesliga titles and the UEFA Champions League final in 2013.
Slot isn't perhaps as seasoned as Klopp was when he replaced Brendan Rodgers nine years ago. The Dutchman has plenty of experience though, as he's also coached AZ Alkmaar and has the backing of Klopp.