Former Liverpool midfielder Boudewijn Zenden has acknowledged that there will be changes for the Reds under new manager Arne Slot, but he believes the club should be ready to embrace Slot’s philosophy. Liverpool officially announced on Monday that Slot would be taking over from Jurgen Klopp, who managed his final game at Anfield against Wolves on Sunday. Slot had already revealed his appointment in a press conference, with Klopp leading a chant of Slot’s name in his farewell speech. The Dutchman has reportedly signed a three-year deal and will officially take charge from June 1.
When asked if Slot can avoid a painful transition when he begins his new job, Zenden stated that Liverpool need to be prepared for any outcome. He compared the situation to Arsenal’s hiring of Mikel Arteta, noting that it was initially difficult for the fans and the club, but they stuck with Arteta and his vision, gradually building a team that aligned with his philosophy. Zenden expressed his pleasure in seeing the benefits of sticking with a manager and being convinced of their ideas. He acknowledged that there will be a change under Slot, but he is not afraid or concerned about it.
Slot led Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title in 2023 and was named Eredivisie Manager of the Year twice. He also won the KNVB Beker this season. While some have questioned whether Slot can handle the big stars at Liverpool, Zenden believes it won’t be a problem. He acknowledged that Feyenoord is not on the same level as Liverpool in terms of magnitude, but he believes Slot’s experience as a player will help him understand the mindset of the players and navigate different situations.
Zenden concluded by mentioning that Jurgen Klopp also had his fair share of issues during his time at Liverpool, but they were all resolved. He emphasized that it will be interesting to see how Slot deals with different situations at a big club like Liverpool. Overall, Zenden is hopeful that Slot’s appointment will be successful and that Liverpool will continue to thrive under his leadership.
