“He’ll be even better” - Coach who worked with Arne Slot tips Liverpool midfielder to succeed under Dutchman
Julian Jenner, a former colleague of Arne Slot, who is reportedly set to take over as Liverpool's new manager, has backed Dominik Szoboszlai to shine under the Dutchman.
Earlier this year in January, Jurgen Klopp announced his decision to leave the club this summer, explaining that he had run out of energy and needed a sabbatical. Feyenoord manager Arne Slot now looks set to replace the German at Liverpool, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that an agreement has been reached on the contract.
While it remains to be seen how the squad lines up and performs under Slot next season, Jenner is confident that Szoboszlai will flourish under the Dutch manager. The former Ajax coach, who worked with Slot during their time together at AZ Alkmaar, believes he can bring the best out of the Hungarian midfielder.
He told Rousing the Kop:
“I think he will be even better than he is now. He’s going to have a coach who likes to play in the opponent’s half and be very creative. He makes a plan for his central defenders and his back line has two holding midfielders, which frees up the attacking midfielder to play with freedom, and to be intelligent and creative."
Jenner added on the Liverpool midfielder:
“Szoboszlai is a very creative player. You can see already how he takes on his own [the responsibility] in the Hungarian national team. He does everything basically alone. He scores goals, he creates chances and he leads the team. I think he will play a big part in his [Slot’s] team next season.”
Szoboszlai has registered 42 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool this season, recording seven goals and four assists.
"I would prefer a proven winner" - Jamie Carragher delivers verdict on next Liverpool boss Arne Slot
While Jenner has backed Slot to succeed at Anfield, Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher feels the club should've gone for a manager with a better resume.
Slot has led Feyenoord to an Eredivisie title and a Dutch Cup but the jury's still out on whether he can manage at the highest level in European football.
Carragher feels the Merseysiders should've considered Thomas Tuchel, who is set to leave Bayern Munich this summer, given the German's experience and accolades.
Highlighting Chelsea's Champions League triumph over Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in 2021 under Tuchel, Carragher said (via The Mirror):
"For the last nine years, Liverpool have possessed one of the top two managers in the world. They are now gambling on the next big thing rather than appointing a proven, real deal.
"I would have given more thorough consideration to a coach like Thomas Tuchel who took on and beat Pep Guardiola in the ultimate test - a Champions League final. Tuchel followed Klopp at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund and did well. It has not worked out at Bayern Munich this season, but you only have to look at Carlo Ancelotti and Unai Emery to recognise how top coaches recover from setbacks."
He added:
"If another English club takes Tuchel, that would convince me they will significantly improve, but my sense is Liverpool don’t want a coach with a reputation for being fractious. I would prefer a proven winner who could be difficult to manage to a coach who might be easy to manage but still have everything to prove."