Arne Slot speaks for the first time as Liverpool head coach after 'difficult to ignore' offer

Arne Slot has admitted he couldn’t ignore the offer to become Liverpool’s new head coach.

Slot was officially announced as Jurgen Klopp's successor on Monday after the Reds had agreed a deal with Feyenoord for his services last month. The Dutchman will formally take up the position on June 1, subject to a work permit, with his first pre-season in charge of the set to get underway at the start of July.

During his three years in charge of Feyenoord, Slot led the Dutch club to the Eredivisie title and KNVB Cup, as well as a first European final since 2002. Consequently, he had previously been of interest to both Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur, only to decide to remain at De Kuip.

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However, speaking for the first time since his move to Anfield was officially confirmed, the 45-year-old thanked Feyenoord and admitted a switch to Liverpool was one he couldn’t refuse.

"It is certainly not an easy decision to close the door behind you at a club where you have experienced so many wonderful moments and worked successfully with so many wonderful people," Slot said. “But as a sportsman, an opportunity to become a head coach in the Premier League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, is difficult to ignore.

“I am grateful to Feyenoord for their willingness to cooperate in this transition. I have thoroughly enjoyed my three years at Feyenoord and have felt very much at home from day one, both within the club and with the supporters.

“When I started in Rotterdam in the summer of 2021, I was convinced that it was possible to achieve success at this wonderful club. The fact that we have reached a European final in three years and won several prizes makes me more than proud.

“I am proud of the players and staff who have worked hard day in, day out for those achievements. To all other sections of the club, who have each contributed to the success in their own way.

“And of course also to the supporters, who experienced Feyenoord's many wonderful moments so intensely and passionately. As an opponent it is already impressive when you enter De Kuip, but when you are really part of it you feel it so much more.

'Feyenoord is the club where I was able to celebrate the first major successes in my career as a trainer and where I experienced many great matches, so I cherish those memories.

“And as a football fan I will certainly continue to follow the club, not least because I am convinced that there are still many great things to come in Rotterdam. I wish Feyenoord and everyone who cares about this wonderful club all the best for the future.”

Meanwhile, Feyenoord’s general manager, Dennis te Kloese, has explained why the club granted Slot’s request to leave to join Liverpool, despite having only signed a new contract last summer.

“As Feyenoord you don't like to let go of a trainer who has meant as much to the club as Arne,” he said. “At the same time, we understand very well that working at a club like Liverpool is a special and unique opportunity for him.

“With that in mind, we started the conversation to see if we could find a solution together, and in the end we succeeded. Of course, thinking about this started a long time ago because we also knew that there was a real chance that things would turn out the way they have now with Arne.

“We can look back with pride and gratitude on the years when Arne was our head coach. Under his leadership and with a group of very good people around him, players have developed excellently, the public has been entertained with great football and, certainly not unimportant, great results have been achieved.

“Arne has unmistakably left his mark on Feyenoord, showing not only football-loving Netherlands but also beyond the borders what we as a club stand for and are capable of. Liverpool is gaining an exceptional professional.”