Jurgen Klopp admits his true feelings on Arne Slot being successful at Liverpool
Arne Slot took on the daunting task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and quickly silenced any doubters, winning the Premier League title in his first campaign
Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he briefly wondered if he was actually happy watching Arne Slot take his Liverpool team and turn them into title winners. Slot, 46, has already lifted as many Premier League trophies in one season as Klopp did during his entire eight-and-a-half-year tenure, exceeding all expectations in his first 12 months at Anfield.
The Reds were far from title favourites coming into the campaign but Slot's side barely put a foot wrong in the top flight to win the league at a canter. Klopp left a squad packed full of talent and experience for the Dutchman to inherit, having arrived Feyenoord with the daunting task of succeeding one of the biggest names in world football at one of its most successful clubs.
There's still a long way to go for Slot to match Klopp's trophy haul and longevity, with the German considered one of the Reds' all-time greatest managers after leaving in May 2024. But there are already echoes of when Bob Paisley successfully took the reins from Bill Shankly, who built the foundations for Liverpool's golden era half a century ago.
But how did Klopp feel watching Slot get off to a lightning-fast start with a team who'd finished third the previous season?
"To be honest: when things started off so well under him, I briefly asked myself as a person whether I was happy that things were like this," the ex-Reds boss revealed to German newspaper Welt. "Yes, it's really good - it makes me happy."
Klopp enjoys a good relationship with those at Liverpool, recently returning for an LFC Foundation event. "We're in very good contact - with some of the players who write now and then or send the occasional photo from their holidays," the 54-year-old continued.
"The owners have become good friends. I've also written to Arne now and then; we've only seen each other once. He was pleased with my gesture back then."
"I was recently back in Liverpool in my role as ambassador for the LFC Foundation, and it was nice to see everyone again. But I'm glad I don't have to be there every day anymore. My time in Liverpool was wonderful, but it's over. A colourful bouquet of memories - and 99 percent of them are good."
Will Arne Slot eclipse Jurgen Klopp's legacy at Liverpool? Give us your prediction in the comments section.
Klopp now works as Red Bull 's head of global football, overseeing the development of players and coaches at their stable of clubs. The German doesn't miss being on the touchline, affirming: "Red Bull didn't bring me in as a potential coach.
"I'm supposed to pass on the experience I've gained as a head coach and manager, and I'm supposed to help younger colleagues develop.
"We want to hire coaches for the right reasons and, if necessary, part ways with them for the right reasons. And for me, it's all about sporting development and not how it's perceived by the public.
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