Florian Wirtz has been advised that Arne Slot is a superior manager to Erik ten Hag, as the Liverpool boss was revealed to have played a significant role in the German's potential transfer to Anfield.
The future of the Bayer Leverkusen starlet was already set to be a hot topic this summer, with the Premier League champions, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City all vying for the 22-year-old. Discussions about Wirtz's next move suggested a transfer to the German champions was on the cards until he had a meeting with Slot, accompanied by his father and agent, Hans-Joachim Wirtz.
The intervention from the Reds' gaffer reportedly proved pivotal in the attacking midfielder's decision to reject Bayern and venture abroad for the first time in his career.
As per Bild, the meeting on May 13 saw Slot paint a clear picture for Wirtz of where he would fit into his title-winning team, promising him a key role in the side's attack.
Charmed by the prospect of a central role in one of the world's top teams, and learning about the passionate support the club enjoys from its fans, led to Wirtz's father informing Bayern executives Uli Hoeness and Max Eberl that it was Liverpool who had clinched the race for his son's signature.
Wirtz could have found himself playing under Ten Hag next season if he had opted to stay with Leverkusen, following the appointment of the former Manchester United boss as their new manager after Xabi Alonso's move to Real Madrid.
Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag is the new coach of Bayer Leverkusen (Image: Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images)
However, a switch to Liverpool means Wirtz will be working with the superior manager, according to Mark Diemers. The Cambuur midfielder has experience playing under both managers, having spent a brief stint with the ex-United boss at Utrecht before joining Slot at Feyenoord.
As someone who can offer an informed opinion on both managers, the 31-year-old was unequivocal about who he preferred working with. "I choose Arne Slot," he revealed to ESPN Netherlands last year when asked about the best manager he has worked with.
"I can only speak from my experience. I thought Ten Hag was incredibly good tactically, and his training sessions were the same. However, at that time, I didn't think he was very good on a personal level. But that was six or seven years ago. I felt Slot was much stronger on a personal level.
"Consider the caliber of clubs [Ten Hag] has worked at, so he must also possess qualities on a personal level. I still keep in touch with him via WhatsApp. He comes across as very friendly to me in those exchanges. He will undoubtedly have developed on a personal level as well."
Despite a lack of consistent triumphs in Manchester – and some dressing room turbulence – Ten Hag still managed to secure two trophies during his tenure, maintaining his reputation as a manager with a knack for winning silverware.
Ten Hag's attractive style of play at Ajax also earned him praise, which initially prompted United to pursue the 55-year-old. However, it's arguably Slot who has outshone him recently, following title victories with Feyenoord and, notably, Liverpool in his debut season as manager of the Premier League club.