Arne Slot‘s achievements have already led to followers putting him on a well-known Kop banner alongside his legendary Liverpool predecessors, however how is he perceived in again his residence nation?
Contemplating its measurement, it’s outstanding how a lot the Netherlands has influenced the way in which we play, coach and understand soccer.
The diminutive nation with the world’s tallest individuals has offered among the defining footballing philosophers.
It’s mentioned that a lot of the dominant possession-based approach of taking part in within the trendy recreation now seen throughout virtually each degree of the pyramid – even in novice soccer – stems from the genius of Pep Guardiola.
But he shaped his concepts from his experiences taking part in below Dutchman Johan Cruyff, who himself was impressed by fellow countryman Rinus Michels, the godfather and architect of ‘Whole Soccer’ who led the Netherlands to Euro 1988 glory.
Together with the previous, Louis van Gaal and Frank Rijkaard have additionally received the Champions League with their very own tactical variations nonetheless rooted in clever possession and motion. Honourable mentions must also be given to Guus Hiddink, Dick Advocaat and Leo Beenhakker, who achieved nice issues at residence and overseas.
And it’s now well-established within the Netherlands that Slot has made it onto this illustrious listing.
His identify is, for now, nearer the underside. Nevertheless, after such outstanding success in a comparatively quick interval as a first-team coach (this marketing campaign is simply his second full sophomore season), he’s very a lot seen in his homeland because the main Dutch coach and tactician of the time.
A way of delight in Slot’s success
Even on the most tribal degree of fandom – and you’ll not discover a extra poisonous fan relationship than the one which exists between Feyenoord and Ajax, the place opposing followers are nonetheless banned from away video games – there’s a reluctant acceptance that he’s a high coach.
No one domestically begrudged Feyenoord the title received below Slot in 2023, after he pulled collectively many random items following the massive squad overhaul the earlier summer season, and turned it right into a mosaic of managed but intense soccer that nobody may match.
The one hope that opposing followers had was that he would quickly be snapped up by one of many recreation’s main golf equipment. Despite the fact that the Eredivisie title couldn’t be defended in 2024, the workforce continued to impress by successful the Dutch Cup.
Followers in England could not have given an excessive amount of discover to Slot, however the home hype was being matched amongst golf equipment in search of a tactically savvy and pure man-manager, equivalent to Tottenham.
This wasn’t a case of Liverpool unearthing a hidden teaching gem.
Moreover, contemplating the numerous latest struggles suffered by Dutch coaches within the Premier League, there’s a sense of delight within the Netherlands a few Dutch supervisor breaking the Man Metropolis monopoly by successful the Premier League with Liverpool.
The delight in Slot’s achievements up to now is very sturdy as a result of he has carried out it with Dutch gamers integral to the hassle – from the immense Virgil van Dijk on the again to the midfield heartbeat Ryan Gravenberch and the penetrative Cody Gakpo on the wing.
The introduction of Jeremie Frimpong has solely elevated the variety of Dutch soccer followers who now view Liverpool as their Premier League workforce of alternative.
The 47-year-old’s success is heightening Dutch following of English soccer usually. Irrespective of who they assist within the Eredivisie, nearly all of soccer followers I’ve spoken with within the Netherlands are taking a eager curiosity in how Liverpool are doing below Slot.
Intriguingly, this isn’t merely due to a ‘one in every of our personal’ mentality, however as a result of approach during which Slot is getting Liverpool to play and the very fact he comes throughout as so likeable.
He looks like somebody you’d have a pint with in a pub, not simply run arduous on a pitch for. There’s an impression that he has delivered a extra trendy method when implementing the well-known Dutch type, utilising extra flexibility in areas equivalent to when to regulate possession or when to press.
Even this season there’s a discernible distinction in type from the final that appears extra front-foot offensively (and possibly a bit extra open defensively). If you happen to undergo the annals of Dutch coaches, there’s a defining stubbornness, dedication and fealty to a sure type and a doubling down if it isn’t going nicely.
It’s refreshing for Dutch followers to see somebody from their shores successful trophies on the earth’s greatest soccer league by doing issues otherwise.
And this reward isn’t simply coming from Dutch followers however from mainstream soccer media too. If you happen to assume ex-players might be harsh of their roles as TV pundits within the Premier League, they’re feeble in comparison with their reducing Dutch counterparts.
The opinions from legends like Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Rafael van der Vaart can go away you replicating the form of pained face one would possibly pull if seeing a stranger stacking it in on a busy road.
Not so on the subject of Slot. For instance, Van Basten has described him as “tactically good” and that he has “hardly ever been so impressed by a coach. The best way he communicates all his soccer concepts and will get his gamers to play precisely in that approach is de facto spectacular.
“Every little thing about him is calm, as a result of he’s mega clever.”
Making a legacy
Lastly, there’s the lasting influence Slot has left upon the followers of Feyenoord.
He didn’t have a very lengthy interval on the helm of the Rotterdam membership – a complete of three seasons – and in contrast to present coach Robin van Persie and previous ones like Giovanni van Bronckhorst, he by no means performed for the the workforce as a participant nor had any hyperlinks to it, all of that are usually the necessities for a fond spot amongst the Feyenoord devoted.
Nonetheless, Slot’s influence was so profound that his image is up within the De Kuip media centre inside its head coach ‘Corridor of Fame’ with the likes of Advocaat and Koeman.
To win solely the membership’s second Eredivisie title within the twenty first century was one factor. To do it while taking part in such enticing, energetic soccer and within the course of knocking intense rivals Ajax off their perch, takes how he’s revered to a different degree.
Though followers had been resigned to shedding Slot finally, they view these three years as among the finest of their historical past.
Whereas Feyenoord are a smaller membership than Liverpool, there are numerous historic similarities between them, which solely provides to the sensation of goodwill in direction of Slot at Anfield.
In the end, the Dutch view is neatly summed up by ESPN NL soccer broadcaster Milan van Dongen: “We actually consider Arne Slot as the very best coach on the earth.”
