"Like a father to me. He made me who I am" - Turkish international hails Liverpool boss Arne Slot
Turkish international Orkun Kokcu has hailed Liverpool boss Arne Slot in a recent interview. The 23-year-old midfielder played for Slot at Feyenoord 96 times, scoring 21 times and setting up on 14 occasions.
Kokcu joined Portuguese giants Benfica in the summer of 2023 but remains complimentary of his former manager, telling TRT Sportvia Get Football News Belgium:
“Slot is like a father to me. He made me who I am. Slot gave my game a boost in the first season. We reached the final of the Conference League and a number of clubs from the top six of England showed interest. In the end, the transfer did not go through. The following season, he appointed me captain and increased my responsibility. He loved coaching the young boys and taught me to play with my chest out.”
Arne Slot took the reigns at Liverpool this season and has the Reds flying high following his arrival. The 20-time English champions sit at the top of the Premier League table after 11 games with 28 points on the board.
“Arne’s a really good manager" - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praises Liverpool boss Arne Slot
Following his side's 2-2 draw with Liverpool, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised Reds boss Arne Slot. The Dutch manager took over the reins at the English giants this summer and has led the team to the top of the Premier League table.
Slot joined the team after a successful stint with Dutch outfit Feyenoord. In his 148 games for the side, Slot scored 2.15 points per game. His stewardship led the team to a 2023 League title.
Arteta was impressed by his counterpart, telling the press via Liverpool.com:
“Arne’s a really good manager, He’s inherited a team that is successful and given it his touch to maintain and evolve in the direction he believes is the right way to do it. For me, they are one of the best teams in the last decade and certainly the history of this Premier League, because they competed against a team (Manchester City) that was creating record after record and they were consistently there."
“That shows a lot of relentless and winning mentality to consistently believe, even if some people feel you could not reach it. That’s a big credit to them and they have done the work with a clear identity, so that’s something remarkable in my opinion," he added.
Arne Slot has led the Reds in 17 games, winning 15, drawing once, and losing once. He will hope to maintain his impressive run of form and end the season with silverware.