New Liverpool manager Arne Slot taken down by Erik ten Hag - 'Not top'

Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag has taken a pretty clear dig at incoming Liverpool manager Arne Slot. The two have been compared, of course.

Arne Slot is the next Liverpool manager, earning the role on the back of his efforts with Feyenoord. He will be the first Dutch manager in the club's history, and only the 10th in Premier League history.

Of course, the most famous Dutch manager currently in the Premier League is Manchester United's Erik Ten Hag. The pair have been compared, naturally, as coaches in the Eredivisie who had their teams playing an attractive brand of football.

That and they're both bald.

But Ten Hag clearly isn't all that impressed with what Slot achieved at Feyenoord. He's publicly talked down the side, suggesting they weren't really close to what PSV Eindhoven achieved under Peter Bosz.

"People have been going overly lyrical about Feyenoord," he said, per the Manchester Evening News. "Feyenoord were steady this year, but not top.

"PSV Eindhoven were two classes better in all areas. In terms of dominating the ball, in terms of putting pressure, in terms of intensity, you name it.

"Bosz and his staff did that top-notch, but the rest of the club is also well put together," he went on to say. "PSV Eindhoven were better than the rest by such a long distance, even so much better than Feyenoord."

Arne Slot at Feyenoord

In some ways, Ten Hag is correct. PSV were sensational this season, leaving every other Dutch side in their dust. No one can really question that - they literally broke the Eredivisie points record.

But it should be said that even in breaking the record, Feyenoord only lost the title by seven points and they were only five points away from the old record themselves. This coming after they won the title under Slot in 2023.

He also led them to their first European final in a very long time, while Feyenoord were considered far off from both Ajax and PSV when he took over in 2021. Don't forget his KNVB Beker (Dutch cup) success either.

If people want to say that PSV and Bosz reached greater heights this season, then they can. But what Slot built at Feyenoord was fantastic and he maintained it over several seasons.

Make no mistake, Liverpool have themselves a very talented manager.