Arne Slot endears himself to Liverpool fans at his own leaving party with Feyenoord
Liverpool and Feyenoord both bid farewell to their bosses on Sunday as Arne Slot prepares to replace Jürgen Klopp at Anfield. Slot confirmed last week that he was heading for Liverpool with just an official announcement left to be made.
Slot took charge of Feyenoord for the final time as his side won the Rotterdam derby against Excelsior 4-0. A huge banner was displayed at De Kuip for the match, depicting Slot's face with the words 'Walk on, Walk on.'
As with Liverpool and Klopp, Feyenoord also held a party for Slot and his players and staff in Rotterdam on Sunday night. Dutch singer Flemming provided the entertainment and delivered a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone — an anthem shared by both Liverpool and Feyenoord. And footage showed Slot was among those to join in as he prepares to move to Merseyside.
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Speaking after his final match in charge, the 45-year-old said: "I am extremely grateful for the memories I have made at this club. I’m going to miss the people the most. The level of appreciation I have achieved here, both from fans and players.
“I hope that in the future I can achieve the same or even more than that. That was very special.”
Slot's appointment could be confirmed as early as this week, with Klopp leading Liverpool fans in a chant for his successor. He then channeled Sir Alex Ferguson and urged the Anfield crowd to support their new boss.
He said: "When the next season starts you are not waiting to see what’s going on, no you go full throttle into it. You welcome the new manager like you welcome me. You go all in from the first day.
"And when it’s hard, you keep believing. When it’s difficult, you keep believing and you push the team, for a goal or whatever. I’m one of you now, I love you to bits.”
Liverpool.com says: Slot is loved by Feyenoord fans for the work he has done in Rotterdam and he is now succeeding one of English football's greatest managers. He will hope Klopp's plea is heeded by Liverpool fans as he prepares to be unveiled. It isn't going to be plain sailing but the next era at Anfield could be another successful one.