Arne Slot has disclosed that he insisted on being Liverpool's sole managerial candidate before accepting the job to replace Jürgen Klopp. The Dutch coach said he would not have taken the role had he been one of several options, as was reported in the Dutch media.
Slot revealed that Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes, visited him at home in Zwolle last April to present why he was the ideal fit. 'From the start it was clear to me,' Slot said. 'I told my agent that if I am one of three candidates I am not interested, I'm only interested if they want me as the only one.'
The head coach, who will see Klopp return to Anfield on Sunday for the Premier League trophy presentation, said he could envisage a long tenure at the club. 'I could see it, but it is kind of arrogant to say it if you have only been here a year that you will be here for nine years,' he added, referencing Klopp's nine-season reign.
Slot also addressed speculation about his assistant, John Heitinga, being linked with the Ajax managerial vacancy. 'If Ajax would be smart they would consider him,' Slot said. 'He is ready to take on a job like that. If John is smart, he would stay here one more season.'
