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    Arne Slot to become new Liverpool manager as £9.4m deal agreed for Feyenoord boss to replace Jurgen Klopp

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    ARNE SLOT is poised to be confirmed as Liverpool’s next manager after a compensation deal with Feyenoord of £9.4million was agreed in principle.The Dutchman, 45, is set to succeed outgoing Anfield legend Jurgen Klopp at the end of the Eredivisie season in mid-May.Arne Slot is heading for Liverpool in MayCredit: GettyJurgen Klopp has announced he is leaving Liverpool this summerCredit: GettyNegotiations with Holland giants Feyenoord are understood to have been finalised for £7.7million plus £1.7m in add-ons.The compensation deal, which could reach up to £9.4million, was agreed on Friday evening.Liverpool are also reportedly adding moves for Slot’s right-hand man Sipke Hulshoff, who has spent time with the Holland national team.The Reds are also keen to poach Feyenoord’s head of performance Ruben Peeters and analyst Etienne Reijnen.READ MORE LIVERPOOL NEWSAnd it’s also been reported that Slot’s contract details at Liverpool have been sorted out.His incoming appointment is expected to be confirmed within days.Klopp, 56, revealed in January he would end his nine-year Anfield reign once the campaign was over.He guided Liverpool to Champions League glory in 2019 and the Prem title the following year.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut Wednesday’s 2-0 loss at Everton left the Reds third in the table – three points off leaders Arsenal and two behind Manchester City, who have a game in hand.Klopp said of Slot’s expected arrival: “I’m not involved in the process, just to clarify that.Liverpool go DutchWHO’S who in the Liverpool dugout next season.
    Manager Arne Slot, 45
    Slot has led Feyenoord for three seasons, wining the Eredivisie title in 2023 and the KNVB Cup in  2024.
    A former footballer in Holland, he is known to be a perfectionist and favours attacking football like Jurgen Klopp.
    Assistant manager Sipke Hulshoff, 49
    Hulshoff currently serves as Ronald Koeman’s assistant manager with the Holland national team and also works alongside Slot at Feyenoord.
    He has had two spells as manager at little-known Dutch side Cambuur.
    Head of performance Ruben Peeters, 31
    A former fitness coach at Genk, Peeters has been working with Slot at Feyenoord since 2021. 
    The Belgian has a Master’s Degree in Sports Sciences.
    Chief analyst Etienne Reijnen, 37
    Former centre back who retired from football in 2020 to move into coaching.
    In October 2023, Reijnen joined Feyenoord as assistant coach, to focus on analysing and providing technical advise to Arne Slot.

    Who is Arne Slot?”What I like a lot about it, if he is the one, is that he really wants to take the job. He is desperate. So ‘come on, let’s go for it’. Excited.”I like the way his team plays football, definitely. “All the things I hear about him – some people I know know him, I don’t know him yet – but some people tell me that he’s a really good guy, and I like that a lot.It’s the best job in the world, best club in the worldJurgen Klopp”So, good coach, good guy, looking forward for the club. If he’s the solution, or the man, then I’m more than happy.”It’s not up to me to judge these things but it all sounds really good to me.”It’s the best job in the world, best club in the world. Obviously now, I help even by not finishing on a high – it looks like – so there’s space for improvement.”It’s great job, fantastic people. He would take a really interesting job.”Slot was a solid, goalscoring midfielder during 18 years as a player.He notched 50 goals in 164 games in a seven-year stint at first club Zwolle.Then came five years with NAC Breda and a spell with Sparta Rotterdam from 2007-10 before he returned to Zwolle to finish his playing career. Not surprisingly, it was at Zwolle where Slot turned to coaching after he retired on the pitch in 2013.Slot snubbed Spurs, hates defending and has a PASS named after himBy Dan King
    LIVERPOOL managerial target Arne Slot was a good enough player to have a type of pass named after him.
    But it is as a manager that the Feyenoord head coach is really making his mark.
    Like another bald Dutchman, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, Slot earned his stripes bossing smaller sides before being given a chance at one of the Netherlands’ big three.
    But the question Liverpool are pondering is whether Slot would make a better fist of running one of the biggest clubs in the world than Ten Hag so far has at Old Trafford.
    Slot, 45, was certainly easier on the eye as a player than centre back Ten Hag.
    “The Arne Slot Ball” was something he perfected as a silky No 10 – a back-to-goal, first-time, 180-degree spin and flick behind the defensive line for a winger to run on to deep in the opposition half.
    Click here to read all about the incoming Liverpool boss.

    He then bossed Dutch second-tier club Cambur in 2016-17 and took the Alkmaar job two years later.Slot then landed one of the top jobs in Holland football when Feyenoord came calling in December 2020.Now he is expected to head to Liverpool after the Dutch domestic campaign finishes on May 19.The news comes 24 hours after Sky Sports journalist Gary Cotterill was grabbed and held away from the former AZ Alkmaar chief when he tried to question him over the move.READ MORE SUN STORIESCotterill was blocked off by a member of the manager’s entourage.Slot smiled at the time but was unwilling to divulge any details.What they have said about Arne Slot
    MATT WADE, head of sporting strategy at Feyenoord
    “He is a brilliant communicator, and consultative, but also clear at the same time.
    “He is quite cautious, quite introverted, but very rule based and principled, which means everyone knows where they stand.
    “And he is not paranoid, which allows freedom for specialists to operate.”
    SANDER WESTERVELD, former Liverpool goalkeeper and team-mate of Arne Slot
    “When I played with Arne at Sparta, you could see that he would become a coach.
    “He was a leader, a No10 midfielder and someone who would change tactics by himself.
    “The job he has done at Feyenoord makes him the perfect fit for Liverpool.”
    Dutch football journalist MARCEL VAN DER KRAAN
    “I’ve followed Feyenoord for 40 years. Not since the days of Johan Cruyff at Ajax in the 1980s has there been a coach so attack-minded in the Dutch league.
    “Cruyff only had a few disciples who followed him and one of them was Pep Guardiola.”
    Arsenal star REISS NELSON who played 31 games under Slot on loan at Feyenoord
    “I felt like Arne Slot is a great manager. He really got me into my rhythm.
    “He gave me a lot of opportunities to play and I excelled.” More

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      Premier League clubs ‘in talks to enter shock new competition’ just days after FA Cup replays scrapped

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      “RIDICULOUS” plans for a new competition after FA Cup replays were scrapped have angered fans.The Premier League are reportedly in talks over a format involving 16 of their Under-21 teams and 16 National League sides.The FA Cup will lose replays but the National League could yet face fixture congestion via another competitionCredit: PASheffield United boss Chris Wilder blasted the axing of FA Cup replaysCredit: GettySupporters blasted the suggestion – having already joined many clubs and managers from the Prem down in slating the FA for ditching FA Cup replays from next season.But the idea of a new 32-team event might be the reason the National League shocked lovers of grassroots football by BACKING the replay axe.That’s because the fifth tier could profit financially from the plan for an EFL Trophy-style competition, as revealed by the The Athletic.It would see four regional groups of eight teams, with the National League teams playing the U-21 sides at home.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIt’s understood the host NL clubs would keep all the gate money plus half the prize money.The rest of the cash would be split between the eight NL teams not competing in the tournament, as well as all the NL North and NL South sides – meaning 56 clubs in all.The National League’s top 16 teams would take part – with the two clubs promoted from there into the EFL replaced by the two relegated sides going in the opposite direction.The Athletic’s Matt Slater posted on X: “When is fixture congestion OK? A: When it’s subsidised by the PL.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd most fans appeared to agree with his withering reaction.One wrote: “This is ridiculous. No one wants u21 sides in the EFL trophy. The national league boss wants less fixture congestion. So why is this needed? Keep FA cup replays.”Another argued: “What a ridiculous idea. So they now want to ruin the FA Cup AND the FA Trophy? This is appalling.”Chris Wilder leads furious backlash to FA Cup replays being scrapped as fans urged to protest at ‘ridiculous’ decisionAnd a third said: “How can the National League look at this year’s fixture congestion and think the answer is more games?”However, one supporter posted: “I am no doubt in a minority but I do enjoy the more unusual competitions, including the EFL Trophy.”Cheap tickets, lots of games, get to play teams you wouldn’t normally. Random nature of it with teams not chasing promotion means unlikely teams make the last stages too.” More

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      Tyson Fury’s beloved Morecambe could be forced to play kids on final day with players yet to be paid

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      MORECAMBE are reeling from another huge blow as unpaid wages mean they might have to play kids in their League Two finale on Saturday.Not even Tyson Fury’s sponsorship has saved his struggling home-town club from a string of problems this year.Tyson Fury is a proud backer of his local teamCredit: Morecambe FCFans are worried after the latest blow for MorecambeCredit: GettyThe Shrimpers were docked three points earlier this month.That came after issues with player wages led to a suspended penalty from last season being activated.Now Morecambe have released a lengthy statement saying owner Jason Whittingham has broken “repeated” pledges to pay salaries in April.The Shrimpers promised to field some sort of line-up at Swindon this weekend but confirmed “a number of first-team players have expressed concerns” about taking part.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSFears overs Morecambe’s long-term situation have grown amongst supporters.And former soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling led a chorus of sympathy.Stelling, a fan of National League side Hartlepool, posted on X: “Another set of players going unpaid. These guys don’t earn the big bucks. “Even delaying salaries can cause huge difficulties. I hope it gets sorted but it is of course part of a much bigger issue.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFortunately for League Two rivals, both the Shrimpers and their weekend hosts Swindon are sitting harmlessly in lower mid-table.Instead, there’s a scramble way above them for the play-off spots.Anthony Joshua hints mega clash with Tyson Fury will happen in September and says ‘it’s coming, most definitely’And at the bottom Sutton hope to pull off an unlikely great escape – with Forest Green Rovers already doomed.Meanwhile, Fury has insisted he has no plans to leave the seaside town.The heavyweight legend, who also supports Manchester United, lives in a five-bed, four-bathroom home overlooking Morecambe Bay.MORECAMBE’S FULL STATEMENTHere’s how the Shrimpers’ directors revealed the club’s latest problem.
      The Club was expecting to pay its players and staff today, Friday 26th April 2024, ahead of the normal due date of the 28th of the month.
      We appreciate that, despite pay not yet being contractually due, there was an expectation that wages would be paid today ahead of the weekend.
      We also completely understand how frustrating, unsettling and demotivating that this issue is to our people, who work so hard every day.
      Throughout April and this week, the Owner has repeatedly assured the Club that funding would be provided to cover wages. Unfortunately, we have not yet received this funding, making it impossible to pay salaries at this time. Nevertheless, we will continue to do all that we can to rectify this before the 28th.
      Due to the uncertainty, a number of first team players have expressed concerns about playing tomorrow without having received their pay today, and we acknowledge their feelings.
      Regardless, we will ensure that a team takes to the field at Swindon Town for the Club’s final game of the season.
      We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff, players and supporters who continue to fight every day.
      The Board of Directors fully understands and shares the frustrations being reasonably expressed by people who love the Club as we do. More

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      I was referee when Arsenal won the title at Tottenham, we got kept in the stadium for two hours afterwards

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      I CANNOT believe it’s been 20 years since Arsenal last won the Premier League.I was the referee when Arsene Wenger’s side clinched the 2004 title against bitter rivals Spurs in a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane.Arsenal last won the league 20 years agoCredit: Times Newspapers LtdArsene Wenger guided the Gunners to a never repeated Invincibles crownCredit: Getty – ContributorMark Halsey was the referee when Arsenal won the Prem at White Hart LaneCredit: Getty Images – GettyArsenal went on to become Invincibles but I’m really surprised they haven’t got their hands on the league trophy again.They were a great team. I love football, I’m a football fan aside from being an ex-ref and everyone can only admire the football they played under Wenger.I was so focused on my own game that I probably didn’t appreciate just how superb they were at the time.It’s only watching back replays of old matches on TV that you fully take in their formidable attacking play, speed and movement.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThierry Henry was electric, Dennis Bergkamp was classy but Patrick Vieira was a maestro in midfield and the Arsenal captain always showed me great respect. That led to a good rapport between us on the field.He appreciated I had empathy for the game and he said he loved it when I refereed Arsenal for that reason.On that boiling hot day in April 2004, Arsenal had one hand on the title and were 2-1 up and seconds away from winning the league.Then Jens Lehmann pushed Robbie Keane at a corner with the ball still on its way into the penalty box and I pointed to the spot.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSGerman goalkeeper Lehmann was always liable to do something silly and he left me with no option but to award a pen. I cautioned both players as they squared up before Keane slotted home the penalty.Eight times Arsenal and Tottenham’s North London rivalry got pettyArsenal’s players calmed down quickly and then celebrated winning the title after I blew the full-time whistle.I remember we were kept inside the ground for a couple of hours by the matchday police commander and safety officer as it all kicked off outside the stadium.My team of officials went up to the lounge and had to hang around until peace was restored.Michael Oliver is in charge of the North London derby on Sunday and he’s the right man for this high-profile occasion.There will be tension on and off the pitch, it’s a must-win game for both teams – Arsenal gunning for the title and Spurs chasing a Champions League spot – so it will be intense for players and fans on top of the fierce rivalry.Oliver is our top referee, he’s sensible and has the skills to manage the match but he’ll have to be focused throughout and use all of his vast experience to stay in control of a volatile atmosphere. More

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      Liverpool should call in England legend for special coaching sessions with Darwin Nunez, claims Troy Deeney

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      IF I was Jurgen Klopp — or his likely successor, Arne Slot — I’d be on the phone to Michael Owen asking if he’d come in for sessions with Darwin Nunez.The Uruguayan has every physical attribute needed to be a world-class striker but just needs to discover a cool head in front of goal.Troy Deeney believes Darwin Nunez could learn from a coach like Michael OwenCredit: APNunez has missed more big chances than any other player in Europe’s top five leaguesCredit: GettyNunez has missed more big chances than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues — and if he’d scored a few more of them it might have been the difference between Liverpool winning the title or not.He’s not the only Liverpool player guilty of missing a lot of chances.Mo Salah, who seems to have switched off and mentally left Anfield already, has squandered plenty too.I’d persevere with Nunez, as composure in front of goal can be learnt.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe needs something of a split personality, showing aggression outside the box, then switching to cool-headed predator mode to take his chances.Former Reds striker Owen is one of the coolest finishers I’ve ever seen — and that’s why I’d give him a ring.Nunez has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season but has also hit the woodwork nine times in the Prem – four more than any other player.Liverpool will hope Slot is the man to get Nunez firing with the Dutchman poised to be confirmed as Klopp’s successor.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNegotiations with Holland giants Feyenoord are understood to have been finalised.Slot won the Eredivisie last season and won the KNVB Cup last week.Brutal Van Dijk says ‘everyone has to look in the mirror’ and questions whether team-mates ‘really want to win league’ More

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      Mikel Arteta calls Arsene Wenger for help as Arsenal look to get over line in Premier League title race

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      MIKEL ARTETA has picked the brains of Invincibles boss Arsene Wenger in a bid to end Arsenal’s title drought.Twenty years ago this week, Wenger’s Gunners won their last Premier League trophy away at Spurs, ending the 2003-04 campaign unbeaten.Arsene Wenger guided Arsenal to their previous Prem title in 2003/04Credit: AFP – GettyMikel Arteta has called on the legendary boss’ experienceCredit: ReutersAsked if he had contacted the Frenchman, 74, for title-winning advice, Arteta said: “I have spoken to him a few times. There were certain topics about how they won it and the latter stages.“He used to talk about that when I was a player. It is always there in the hard drive.“For this time of the season, at the end it is about finding a way to win the game. And that is it.“You can do it in various ways, when you look at how [Wenger’s Arsenal] won the titles.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“How they won certain games with very, very, very close margins.“He always talked about that and who is going to step up on the occasion to make it happen.”Arteta’s side go to Tottenham on Sunday, knowing victory will keep them top with three league games remaining.The Spaniard played under Wenger at the Emirates from 2011 to 2016, before filling the Gunners’ managerial hot-seat in December 2019.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSArsenal can win their remaining four Prem outings this term and still NOT be crowned champions, with Manchester City currently one point behind with a game in hand.Liverpool are three points adrift of top spot after losing 2-0 to local rivals Everton.How Arteta’s tactical masterstroke turned Havertz into Arsenal’s most important playerYet Arteta is not convinced it is now a two-horse race, adding: “This league is tremendously demanding and there can be still a lot of turns.“We know what we have to do to win this league.“We have to perform the best possible way and win our matches and wait to see what happens.” More

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      I’m sick of footballers moaning, I’ve only just retired and I’d give anything to play one more Premier League game

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      IT’S only been four months since I last played professionally but I’m already sick of hearing managers and players moaning.Moaning about kick-off times, moaning about fixture congestion, moaning about playing in too many competitions.Footballers should think twice about moaning publicly about fixture congestionCredit: PAVirgil van Dijk complained about Liverpool’s early kick-off against West HamCredit: GettyWhat wouldn’t I give to play just one more Premier League match? What wouldn’t I give to have just one week like Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal players are experiencing now, in the heat of a title race?It’s not that I never complained about my workload when I was playing — but I certainly didn’t do it publicly.In a TV interview after Liverpool’s derby defeat by Everton on Wednesday, Virgil van Dijk made a point of mentioning that his team have to play West Ham at 12.30pm on Saturday.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt echoed a long-running gripe of Jurgen Klopp’s that Liverpool get more lunchtime kick-offs than anyone else.To which the obvious response: ‘OK, do you want to give back the huge slice of your salary that comes from TV money?’Van Dijk plays for one of the most famous clubs in the world and it’s entirely natural that their matches are going to be televised live more than most other clubs.Liverpool’s players are also paid more money than most for the same reason. They’re at the pinnacle. Where all of us wanted to be. So it’s tiresome to hear them moaning.Most read in FootballHow will those complaints sound to a diehard fan, perhaps a manual worker, who’s gone to Goodison on Wednesday, then does two hard days’ graft and is up at dawn to get a train to London to watch his side again — paying serious money to do so?That’s why you never heard me complaining publicly. And it’s funny but you never heard Liverpool’s players moaning about fixture congestion when things were going well — when they won the title in 2021.Pep Guardiola was moaning about City having to play Chelsea in last Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final, three days after facing Real Madrid in the Champions League.Guess what? You’re going for a Treble — as City were until they lost on penalties to Real — so the fixtures are going to come thick and fast.It will not stop City from going on a long and draining far-flung pre-season tour this summer. It doesn’t stop Spurs and Newcastle from travelling to Australia to play a friendly three days after the Premier League season ends.I’m not trying to pretend that a footballer’s life is an easy one.The workload can seem relentless and there are plenty of sacrifices made. But it’s also a bloody good life. One which I wouldn’t have swapped for anything else and would love to taste again.And I wasn’t keen on lunchtime kick-offs either. They mess up your diet, your routine and superstitions.You only eat one meal before kick-off — a larger breakfast, rather than a light breakfast then a pre-match lunch — and that never made me feel as well prepared physically.You’d have to load up with more food on the Friday. And if you’ve played on Wednesday night that isn’t ideal.But to publicly complain about it is never a good look. It also makes players and managers sound as if they are getting their excuses in early. That isn’t conducive to a positive mindset.Sports scientists can make players believe they are more tired than they are. If you tell someone they’re tired then they are more likely to feel fatigued.If players voice those concerns — or managers do it on their behalf — it winds people up.READ MORE SUN STORIESDo they think that supporters are going to say, ‘Oh, poor you, you’re going for the Premier League title, you’re earning millions but you’re having to play three games a week’.I don’t think the hearts of supporters will be bleeding for them. And I can assure them that former players feel just the same More

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      Leicester PROMOTED to the Premier League as Foxes stars go wild after Leeds suffer shock hammering at QPR

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      LEICESTER CITY have been promoted to the Premier League.The Foxes’ promotion was sealed thanks to rivals Leeds losing 4-0 to QPR.Leicester have been promoted following Leeds’ defeat to QPRCredit: AlamyLeicester’s Twitter account celebrated with a stunning montageCredit: https://twitter.com/LCFCAnd just as in 2016 when Leicester won the Premier League, players gathered for a watchalong and jumped around in celebration following Leeds’ defeat.Leicester looked destined to return to the top flight at the first time of asking for much of the season.But their promotion was far from a foregone conclusion following a run of just three wins in ten games which saw Leeds and Ipswich close the gap.Leeds are now in danger of missing out on an automatic promotion spot as they are just one point ahead of Ipswich, having played two games more.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLeicester had to rebuild following relegation from the Prem with key stars James Maddison, Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes all leaving.Enzo joined as managed from Manchester City and won 15 of his first 17 games in charge.Leicester fans now have an opportunity to celebrate all weekend ahead of their trip to Preston on Monday.While there will be a promotion party at the King Power Stadium on May 4 when the Foxes take on Blackburn.Most read in EFLIpswich now have a great opportunity to seize on Leeds’ slip-up against Hull City on Saturday.Leicester stars celebrate being promoted back to the Premier LeagueCredit: https://twitter.com/LCFCKiernan Dewsbury-Hall could be seen leading celebrations with his teammatesCredit: https://twitter.com/LCFCThe team were watching the QPR game on SkyCredit: https://twitter.com/LCFCLeicester fans in the crowd during the QPR v Leeds game at Loftus RoadCredit: AlamyBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSA win would move them above Leeds into second, leaving them needing just one win against Coventry or Huddersfield to secure promotion.That means Leeds could have to settle for the play-offs along with Southampton, West Brom and Norwich.Five EFL Championship stars destined for the Premier League More

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      Alex Scott takes shock new job outside of sport as BBC presenter ‘sets everyone up for the week’

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      ALEX SCOTT has a new job as a radio presenter on KISS.The former England star has mostly worked as a TV presenter and a pundit since hanging up her boots.Alex Scott will present a radio show on KISS on SundaysCredit: The Mega AgencyShe hosts Football Focus and often guests presents The One Show, as well as appearing as a pundit on the BBC’s coverage of men and women’s football.But now Scott is set to pursue her other love – music – by becoming the host of KISS’ Sunday 7pm show.Scott, 39, will present two hours of “Old Skool anthems”, possibly leaning on favourites such as Lauryn Hill and LL Cool J.Scott told The Mirror: “Everyone knows that I love football, but music is just as much a part of who I am.READ MORE ON ALEX SCOTT”I’m thrilled to be back with the KISS team and digging into my collection to share some more Old Skool anthems every Sunday. “I’m hoping to carry on those weekend vibes all the way into Sunday night and setting everyone up for the new week.”Scott also has a big social media presence where she often catches the eye in stylish outfits and bikinis.She is often seen posing with her singer girlfriend Jess Glynne, who has has been dating since last year.Most read in FootballScott recently opened up about how she loves “being more vulnerable” in her relationship.She said: “I think, before, I was very walls up. All those walls have, like, come down.” Alex Scott sends warning to fans over FAKE Instagram accounts being made in her name as she blasts ‘annoying scam’ More