Former Dutch Liverpool star names TWO managers similar to Arne Slot

Former Liverpool goalkeeper and six-cap Dutch international Sander Westerveld has revealed the two managers that Arne Slot is compared to in the Netherlands. 

Slot was appointed Jurgen Klopp's successor just a day after the 2023/24 Premier League season came to its conclusion, with the former Feyenoord boss named the club's new 'head coach' rather than 'manager'.

The 45-year-old has big shoes to fill following Klopp's exit but has impressed in the Netherlands by winning the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup with Feyenoord over the past two seasons.

He also helped the club reach the final of the 2021/22 Europa Conference League having previously caught the eye at AZ Alkmaar, and comes with a reputation of improving players with his strong man-management and motivational skills.

Those in the Netherlands have waxed lyrical over the exciting young coach, including former Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt, and Westerveld has revealed that Slot already draws comparisons with Klopp and current Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola back in the Netherlands.

SANDER WESTERVELD BACKS ARNE SLOT FOR SUCCESS

Speaking to LFCTV, Westerveld, who made 42 appearances for the Reds between 1999 and 2001, insisted that Slot will be a 'perfect fit' for Liverpool.

"The minute I heard Arne's name [linked], I was like, 'Yeah, that's actually a perfect fit,'" said Westerveld.

"Over the years people talk about Arne in Holland and they always compared him with Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.

"He always showed Liverpool clips during training sessions and analysing games. He was showing Liverpool clips on how to play. He's playing in a similar style. It's been well-documented how he plays, what he wants in a team."

Westerveld, who featured for Feyenoord's rivals Sparta Rotterdam alongside Slot towards the end of his playing career, believes his compatriot is also the right character for a club like Liverpool.

"He's also a genuine nice guy. He's always in for a joke, which is really important because it gives a sort of balance in the team, in the group – focus, train hard, have a laugh when you can. Take the pressure off certain situations but never lose the focus on winning games," added Westerveld.

"It's easy to motivate the first XI but if you talk about the players that are on the bench, 12 to 25, they're all happy with him as well in all the clubs he's trained, so that's really important and says enough as well."