The world of football is a ruthless one which moves on fast from those who cannot keep up. Former Liverpool manager Arne Slot will be feeling that more keenly than most right now.
Indeed, just one season on from winning the Premier League with the Reds, the Dutchman was sacked this May. In fairness, it came off the back of a poor season for the Anfield club, who finished fifth in the league, with a startling 24 points fewer than what they had achieved in their title-winning campaign.
Despite the obvious issues, the feeling was that Slot would be given more time to turn things around, but the club hierarchy changed their minds swiftly, making a strong U-turn on their original plan. GIVEMESPORT understands that Slot was only informed of the decision on the same morning he was sacked, with the news made public less than a few hours later.
While Slot swiftly went out of fashion at Anfield, the good news is that it hasn't taken him long to be linked with a new team.
Arne Slot Linked With World Cup Nation
Arne Slot looks on during a Liverpool match
Although the 47-year-old was immediately linked with a move to Italian giants AC Milan in the aftermath of his sacking, another big team have emerged as a possible destination. According to Dutch football expert Marcel van der Kraan, Slot is very keen on becoming his nation's manager after the World Cup. Speaking to TalkSport, he explained:
“If Ronald Koeman steps down after the World Cup…there is a vacancy at the Dutch national team.
“I think Arne Slot is very, very much up for that; he’s probably the ideal candidate. “He can play his Dutch style of football – the passing, attacking style, whatever you call it. I think the Dutch would be happy to have him.”
Ronald Koeman has been in charge of the Dutch national team since 2023, leading them to the semi-finals of Euro 2024 before being knocked out by England in a 2-1 defeat. It's fair to suggest that the job could become vacant again at the end of the summer, if the Netherlands fail to impress at the 2026 World Cup.
Arne Slot Was Shocked By Liverpool Sack Decision
Arne Slot
It remains to be seen just how quickly Slot wants to return to management, but it seems as though he certainly wasn't expecting to be out of work at this point in his career. Van der Kraan revealed that the news had come as a shock to the 47-year-old, noting:
“Now and again, we liaise and he gave me the impression very much that he was absolutely going to be the manager of Liverpool in the new season. And that Saturday, I think, was an absolute thunder in a clear blue sky for Arne.
"And I spoke to him briefly on the Sunday as well…and I think he was still recovering from the absolute blow that this was.”
Despite the surprise, Van der Kraan claimed that Slot bears no ill feeling towards Liverpool. He added, “I think he wasn’t bitter. He was more still [processing] that surprise, realising he didn’t win a trophy. And in football, you know, you get judged on trophies.”
That sense of respect for the club was penned an emotional message to Liverpool fans following his dismissal, in which Slot thanked them for their support, as he wrote: "You made me feel welcome from the start and helped me on the path. That is something I cherish."