“No matter what you think you know” - Rafa Benitez warns new Liverpool boss Arne Slot on challenges he will face at Anfield
Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has offered some advice to the upcoming Reds boss Arne Slot with respect to understanding the weight of expectations and accomplishments that come with the role at Anfield. Slot, who has been in charge of Eredivisie club Feyenoord from 2021 to 2024, will replace Jurgen Klopp following the German manager's nine-year tenure with the Reds.
The Premier League giants announced that the Dutchman, whose contract with Feyenoord is valid till 2025, will formally take charge of Liverpool on June 1, subject to a work permit.
64-year-old Benitez, who was most recently the manager of La Liga club Celta Vigo, was in charge of the Reds from 2004 to 2010. He mentioned that despite his experience, Slot would need to learn swiftly about Liverpool and the expectations of the club's manager.
Rafa Benitez wrote in his column for The Telegraph:
"No matter what you think you know, you have to learn quickly what it means to be the Liverpool manager. Every game you are expected to win. Then, if you are winning and playing well, there is an expectation that you will win by three goals."
Benitez highlighted the importance of staying updated with the commentary surrounding the Reds' performances while also emphasizing the importance of preparation and communication. He added:
"Another big aspect of the job is dealing with the media. You cannot ignore what is said or written about Liverpool, or what they call ‘the noise’. It is impossible. Sometimes you need to know what the pundits are saying because you will be asked about it in the press conferences. It is better to be educated to prepare. The difficulty now is the power of social media with so many people who do not have a clue about football giving misinformation. That is more of a complication and you must separate the views of the majority of supporters from the few who shout loud on social media."
During his tenure at Feyenoord, Arne Slot led the club to the 2022–23 Eredivisie and the 2023–24 KNVB Cup.
Rafa Benitez offers some more advice to the new Liverpool boss
Rafa Benitez expanded on the importance of dealing with the media and the fans and wrote:
"That means communication is massive, as is connecting with the true supporters. There are many people at a football club with different titles, and many may think they are the ‘boss’. But there is only one person whose face is always in front of the fans once, twice or three times a week in press conferences, before and after the game.
"Coping with that pressure is massive and so is sending the right message. I worked hard to improve my English before I moved to the country, listening to Beatles songs! Everyone always talks about my famous 'facts' press conference. The fact is I was right and everyone knew it then and still knows it now!"
Lastly, Benitez advised Arne Slot to learn more about the culture of the city and wrote:
"Liverpool have seen qualities in Arne that they like. My biggest advice to him or to any manager is he must be himself while understanding the culture of the club and the city he is coming to work."
Rafa Benitez led Liverpool to their fifth Champions League title in 2005 and managed one of the strongest teams in Anfield history in 2008-2009. His squad included icons like Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Fernando Torres, and Steven Gerrard.