Arne Slot: From Eredivisie to Premier League Champion

by Jimmy Johnson

Arne Slot has swiftly established himself as one of the greatest football managers in the world at Liverpool. Not many head coaches have been able to win the Premier League in their first season - but Slot made it look easy. 

Let's take a look back at Slot’s journey in football and how Liverpool’s man at the helm got to where he is today.

Arne Slot (Credit: Getty)

Playing days

Slot generally functioned as a central midfielder during his playing years, though he was also occasionally deployed as an attacking midfielder. 

He made his senior debut in 1995 for FC Zwolle, going on to make a total of 192 appearances for them over the course of his career, including a loan spell in the 2009/10 season. 

He also featured for NAC Breda, Sparta Rotterdam and PEC Zwolle before retiring in 2013.

First foray into management

Slot cut his coaching teeth at PEC Zwolle before taking his first job in senior management at SC Cambuur in 2016. 

Historically a lower league Dutch team, Slot led them to an unprecedented semi final finish in the KNVB Cup, defeating Ajax along the way only to lose to Sparta Rotterdam in the last four.

Later in 2017, Slot departed Cambuur to join AZ Alkmaar as a member of their coaching staff. Two years later, he assumed the role of head coach. 

Slot might have achieved more success at AZ, but his only full season at the club was cut short as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. By the time the season was curtailed, AZ were second in the Eredivisie table and in December of 2020, Slot agreed a deal to join Feyenoord.

Building a dynasty at Feyenoord

While he signed the contract in late 2020, Slot did not begin working at Feyenoord until the beginning of the 2021/22 season. That year, he led De Stadionclub to the final of the Europa Conference League, where they lost to Roma. 

The following campaign would be a defining one for Slot, as he won his first major honour. He led Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title, beating runners-up PSV by seven points. 

His final act at Feyenoord was winning the KNVB Cup in 2024 - soon after this, he departed The Netherlands to replace the outgoing Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Slot lifts the Eredivisie trophy (Credit: Getty)

Rise to stardom at Liverpool

Slot had an almighty task ahead of him at Liverpool - filling Klopp’s boots would be no mean feat. Regardless, the Dutchman rolled up his socks and got to work. 

He won his first game in charge against Ipswich Town and quickly built up a lead at the top of the Premier League table - his first few games in charge included a 3-0 win over bitter rivals Manchester United. 

At the end of the campaign, Liverpool won the league comfortably. It took his predecessor five years to win the Premier League title - Slot did it in just one.

The question is, can he press on and win his second Premier League trophy this season?

Slot with the Premier League trophy (Credit: Liverpool F.C.)