da dobrowin： Arne Slot has shed light on Liverpool's transfer plans and admitted that he has "big shoes to fill" after replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
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Liverpool make changes in sporting structureSlot working with Richard Hughes to finalise transfersAims to make a winning start to ease the pressureWHAT HAPPENED?
Slot, formerly of Feyenoord, is the first to hold the title of head coach in Liverpool’s history due to a structural shift within the sporting hierarchy of the club. He will be working in tandem with the new sporting director, Richard Hughes, to shape the look of the squad for the upcoming campaign. However, he insisted that experience in European football has prepared him well for this job which will see him work hand-in-hand with Hughes as they strive to get the best deals in the transfer market.
AdvertisementGetty WHAT SLOT SAID
Talking to reporters, Slot said: "For me, it is not a change. In Europe, we work like this, and I’ve worked at Feyenoord and my former clubs in a similar way. There are not many clubs in the world where one person decides everything. It is a collaboration between many people. I don't think there are many sporting directors who bring in players the manager or head coach doesn’t like, and it is the other way around."
While Slot avoided specifying the exact areas he intends to strengthen, he expressed confidence in the existing squad's quality and potential.
"Not in specific numbers. There is already a real good team, there were a few new signings last season," he said.
"So the longer a team plays together if there is a good head coach normally you will see things will improve. It is fortunate I am going to a club where normally not many transfers go out. At Feyenoord, it was almost normal (that) eight, nine, 10 players left the club after every season so it is more difficult for a manager to get this progress. But here I am expecting him (Hughes) to keep most of our players and I think he wants that himself and from there we can only build."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Taking over from Klopp, who enjoyed immense success during his nine-year tenure, Slot acknowledged the significant expectations placed on him.
"They are big shoes to fill, but you can look at it as inheriting a squad and a team which has a winning culture," Slot remarked.
"One of the reasons to come here – and there are always more reasons for this – but I do feel we have a real good squad, and as a manager you want to work at a club with good players with an opportunity to win something. The past has shown there is a possibility to win some trophies.
"I like to work with players and like to develop them but I like to win as well, and at this club there is an opportunity to win. It always helps to get to know the city but I think, as a manager, it helps even more if you win most of your games. If we do that in the best possible way it will probably give me some time as well, and if I have time then I can get to know the city a bit better. But it all starts with improving the team and winning as many games as we can."
DID YOU KNOW?
When asked about Klopp's self-description as "the normal one" Slot reflected on the profound impact the German manager had on the club.
"It's special what Jurgen did to this club," he said. "When he arrived, he said he was the 'normal one,' but what made him special was the impression he left behind, winning trophies and his playing style – the fans loved it. Maybe he said he was the normal one, but I think the fans saw him differently. What he did for the club was more than normal."