PHILADELPHIA - Wednesday, July 31, 2024: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (L) gives instructions to Diogo Jota during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at the Lincoln Financial Field on day eight of the club's pre-season tour of the USA. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
PHILADELPHIA - Wednesday, July 31, 2024: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (L) gives instructions to Diogo Jota during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at the Lincoln Financial Field on day eight of the club's pre-season tour of the USA. Liverpool won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Arne Slot has given a rare interview since his departure from Liverpool to reflect on the tragic loss of Diogo Jota on the one-year anniversary of his death.
Jota and his brother Andre Silva both lost their lives in a car crash while travelling back to Merseyside for the striker to rejoin Liverpool’s pre-season training.
July 3, 2025 was a day that shocked the footballing world and is still felt around Liverpool a year on.
Slot deserves immense credit for the way in which he handled the aftermath of Jota’s death, not least in the compassion he showed his team-mates and the staff left stricken with grief while forced to carry on.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot and his staff stand in silence as they pay tribute to Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July, during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Friday, August 15, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot and his staff stand in silence as they pay tribute to Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July, during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and AFC Bournemouth at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The former Liverpool head coach has now spoken to AD on the anniversary of the brothers’ passing and delivered a moving tribute.
“Moments like this remind you that football is never the most important thing,” Slot began.
“As a manager, you spend so much time thinking about training, matches and results, but something like this immediately puts everything into perspective.
“My thoughts are with Diogo, his wife Rute and the children, his parents, his family and friends, and everyone who loved him. We all miss him terribly.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 22, 2021: Liverpool's Diogo Jota celebrates after scoring the decisive penalty in the shoot-out after the Football League Cup Quarter-Final match between Liverpool FC and Leicester City FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, December 22, 2021: Liverpool's Diogo Jota celebrates after scoring the decisive penalty in the shoot-out after the Football League Cup Quarter-Final match between Liverpool FC and Leicester City FC at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Jota’s impact on Liverpool was more than simply what he offered on the pitch, with the No. 20 a player who fans could truly relate on a human level.
“When I think of the person he was, I always come back to the same things,” Slot continued.
“He always put the team first. He got along well with everyone, regardless of their role, and he had a special way of making people feel appreciated.
“Those qualities earned him the respect of everyone around him, and they are the reason we miss him so much.
“He will always be remembered with great warmth. That is the legacy he leaves behind.”
Image credit: @cristiano
Image credit: @cristiano
Portugal marked their 2-1 win over Croatia in Friday’s World Cup round-of-32 clash with an emotional tribute to the player who wore their No. 21 shirt.
Roberto Martinez’s players wore their commemorative wristbands in honour of Jota, with Slot touched by the way in which the late striker is being remembered.
“It is very emotional to see how Portugal is honouring Diogo,” he said.
“Wearing those bracelets is truly a beautiful gesture. It reflects how much respect and affection everyone had for him.
“He was not just a great player; he was someone who brought people together. He cared about the group, always put the team first, and made everyone around him feel important.
“Seeing how his team-mates carry his memory onto the field is a fitting tribute.
“I hope it reminds people of the kind of person he was, just as much as the player he became.”
Rest in peace, Diogo and Andre.
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White Diagonal three (32)
White Diagonal three (32)
Diogo Jota and Andre? Silva Memorial 1
Diogo Jota and Andre? Silva Memorial 1