Next Liverpool manager: Slot admits it would be 'strange' if he didn't call Klopp

Feyenoord beat PEC Zwolle 5-0 on Sunday in the Eredivisie, in what was likely to have been Arne Slot’s second last home match. 

The Dutchman is widely expected to take up his position as new Liverpool head coach at the end of the season, replacing Jurgen Klopp who has been in the Anfield hotseat for nine years. 

The Rotterdam side will finish the Dutch league season in second place, behind champions PSV, having won the Eredivisie under Slot last term. 

They added the KNVB Beker (Dutch cup) to their honours board this term and Slot, 45, will leave for Merseyside as a two-time Dutch coach of the year. 

It’s time to make preparations for his next move and Slot revealed at the weekend that he was planning to make contact with Klopp once the deal becomes official. 

Feyenoord and Liverpool are reported to have agreed terms on a package which would see Slot and members of his staff move from De Kuip to Anfield. 

However, no official word on the incoming head coach is expected until the end of the season. 

Slot’s side have two more league matches to go, away to NEC and a home game against Excelsior, after which the new Liverpool boss will bid farewell to his current side. 

There were English media in attendance for the game against PEC, and Slot answered a few questions from them in the aftermath. 

Slot: It would be strange if I wouldn't call Klopp

“I think it’s normal that if you go to a new club, and if that would be Liverpool, then it’s normal that you contact the former coach,” Slot is reported to have said by Neil Jones on his Covering Liverpool Substack newsletter.

“I did this when I went to Feyenoord as well; when I became head coach of AZ Alkmaar it wasn’t necessary, because the former head coach, I worked with him for two years.

“So it’s not more than normal that all the knowledge a person has who worked a few years at that club, and in this situation even for nine years, that you contact him.

“But apart from that, I know his assistant Pepijn Lijnders quite well.

“But if there’s an official confirmation – the way I look at it now when the season is done – it would be strange if I wouldn’t call him.”