Arne Slott has had to deal with serious noise surrounding his future at Liverpool, but the Dutchman is making plans for next season, with one of Feyenoord’s former coaches set to move to Anfield.
Arne Slott continues to plan for next year as Liverpool manager finalizes appointment of new coach (Image: PETER POWELL/EPA/Shutterstock)
Liverpool are close to appointing Etienne Leinen as coach, but this is the biggest indicator that Arne Slott will remain at Anfield.
Leinen previously worked with Slott at Feyenoord and was with the Dutch club until last Sunday, when he stepped down from the role. According to the Telegraph, he has reportedly told those close to him that he is preparing to move to the Premier League.
Slott had hoped to bring Reinen to Liverpool in 2024 when he first arrived, but that move fell apart when Reinen was unable to secure a work permit and had to remain in the Netherlands.
The Liverpool manager faces serious doubts about his future a year after the Reds went from being champions to needing to qualify for the Champions League. There have been calls for a change, but last year’s performance appears to have earned him the right to stay.
Slott himself recently said he expected to become Liverpool manager next season, but that was before yet another painful defeat at Aston Villa. Their 4-2 loss exposed many of the flaws and issues that were evident all season.
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Reinen will help Liverpool become a smarter team from set-pieces and will partner with Slott and his assistant Shipke Khrushov. Doubts persist over Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s position, with the former Arsenal man potentially set to move away from Anfield.
Slott first met Leinen while playing for PEC Zwolle in 2010 and they have remained close ever since. Slott was impressed by Cambourg’s work and brought him to Feyenoord. The Liverpool manager was reluctant to appoint Reinen, saying: “I always say this about players, but it’s the same about staff. I won’t comment on who we will or won’t sign unless things are resolved.”
Etienne Leinen (far left) and Arne Slott team up to win at Feyenoord
He added: “Well, it’s fair to say I’ve worked with him before and I think very highly of him as a coach. And obviously we tried to sign him two years ago when I first got here, but we couldn’t do that.”
Liverpool are about to embark on a new era with the transfer of some of their top players. Mohamed Salah will leave Anfield, where he has been for nine years, and Andy Robertson, the pillar of the backline, will also move when his contract expires.
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