- Louis van Gaal was manager of Manchester United between 2014 and 2016
- The Dutchman was asked to give his opinion on his compatriot Arne Slot
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Louis van Gaal knows a thing or two about being a Dutch manager in the Premier League and the former Man United boss has delivered his verdict on Liverpool‘s new manager Arne Slot.
Slot’s appointment was confirmed by Liverpool just 24 hours after Jurgen Klopp took charge of his last game following nine years in charge at Anfield.
The 45-year-old officially took charge on June 1, leaving Feyenoord in the Eredivisie after restoring them to Europe’s elite in his three years at the helm.
Slot is from Holland just like Van Gaal, who managed Liverpool’s rivals United for two years, between 2014-16.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Van Gaal said: ‘Yes, it’s a big job because Jurgen Klopp has done it fantastically.
‘So he (Slot) is the successor and it’s always more difficult but he is a good technical coach.
‘I think at the moment he’s the best technical coach from the Netherlands. He was at that time free so I think Liverpool have made a very good choice.’
There have been concerns over the appointment of Slot, not only because he has to follow in Klopp’s footsteps but due to the fact he is coming from the Netherlands, where Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag succeeded before struggling in the Premier League.
The Red Devils boss recently took aim at Slot’s work at Feyenoord in the 2023-24 campaign and insisted that people had overhyped the Dutch giants.
Ten Hag told Voetbal International: ‘People have been going overly lyrical about Feyenoord.
‘Feyenoord were steady this year, but not top. PSV Eindhoven were two classes better in all areas. In terms of dominating the ball, in terms of putting pressure, in terms of intensity, you name it.’
He added: ‘PSV Eindhoven were better than the rest by such a long distance, even so much better than Feyenoord.’
Ten Hag’s future remains unclear ahead of the summer, with the Dutchman leading United to their worst-ever Premier League finish, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe potentially looking to make changes.
Slot, who was considered by both Tottenham and Chelsea last summer, has found immense success since joining the Dutch side in 2021 and has become one of the most progressive coaches in European football.
He recently guided his side Feyenoord to victory in the KNVB Cup; the second trophy he has won in charge of the Rotterdam giants, having made them domestic champions 12 months ago.