Arne Slot has spoken out following speculation over his next job after leaving Liverpool earlier this summer, having been heavily linked with the vacant Netherlands manager's job
Former Liverpool Dutch manager Arne Slot on the field
Former Liverpool boss Arne Slot(Image: Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool boss Arne Slot has released a statement to deny reports surrounding his future after being heavily linked with the vacant Netherlands manager’s job.
Slot has remained out of work after being fired by Liverpool earlier this summer, following a poor second season in charge which saw the Reds fail to defend their Premier League title from the previous year, while only just scraping Champions League qualification after finishing fifth.
The 47-year-old has been linked with a swift return to management though, having been installed as the favorite to become the Dutch national team’s new boss after Ronald Koeman left his position following the World Cup.
Slot has been heavily linked with the role, although recent reports have claimed that he has withdrawn from the running after talks with the KNVB led to a dispute regarding his contract and salary.
The Reds’ former boss has denied those suggestions though in a statement released via Dutch outlet Voetbal International.
"Over the past few weeks, and particularly the past few days, various reports have appeared regarding the vacancy at the Dutch national team, suggesting that I had withdrawn from the process after lengthy negotiations, including regarding salary and contract duration," Slot said.
"That speculation is incorrect. We simply never reached that stage of the talks."
Arne Slot remains without a job after leaving Liverpool
Arne Slot remains without a job after leaving Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images))
Slot did confirm that he had been in talks with the KNVB, although the discussions were only brief, adding: “That is only logical when you are approached for an important position and want to get a better picture of the role and the expectations.”
Slot though has firmly ruled himself out of the running to take over from Koeman, and admitted that he wants to return to club soccer following his dismissal from Liverpool.
“At this stage of my career, I prefer to see myself on the training pitch with my players every day. Something that is simply not possible in the same way with a national team.
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“And [that is] why I chose not to continue the talks and not to start negotiations on what a possible contract might look like.
“I have enormous respect for the national team and for the KNVB and can only be positive about the professional manner in which the talks proceeded that week.
“For now, I believe that club football still has a lot to offer me.”
Slot though did leave the door open for a future stint in charge of his country’s national team, concluding: “It would be a great honor to represent my country as national coach one day. However, this was not the right moment for me.”