The supervisor would possibly arguably be an important individual at any soccer membership, however solely a handful of them may be thought-about family names. Nevertheless, when you check out the dugouts across the Champions League, Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1 and Primeira Liga, you will see an entire crop of coaches who may sooner or later be the subsequent world-famous figureheads of elite groups.
Some have already received league titles and main trophies with their present golf equipment, whereas others have proven they’ll compete with, and even beat, the normal powerhouses regardless of working with less-heralded gamers and fewer assets. They could have taken all of the information and knowledge gleaned from the world’s finest coaches throughout glittering enjoying careers and utilized it efficiently to their very own managerial kinds, or they may have soaked up all they know from the sideline having didn’t make the grade on the pitch.
However all of them have put themselves within the dialog for a job at a number of of the most important golf equipment in Europe every time they make their subsequent strikes. Who will exchange Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich this summer time? Or fill the footwear of Carlo Ancelotti when he inevitably steps down as Actual Madrid boss?
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Arne Slot would be the first cab off the rank. Sources have instructed ESPN that the 45-year-old is near taking on for Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool a 12 months after profitable the Dutch Eredivisie with PSV Eindhoven.
Here’s a take a look at Slot and 10 different managers who may quickly be becoming a member of him at soccer’s prime desk, with particulars on their signature kinds of play, their greatest achievements thus far and which golf equipment they’ve already been linked with.
Fashion of play: Attacking soccer with plenty of motion, a excessive defensive position and plenty of possession in a 3-4-2-1 formation more often than not.
Greatest achievement thus far: Have you ever watched Leverkusen this season? Alonso & Co. received the Bundesliga title this 12 months with a number of video games to spare in his first full season as a supervisor. His staff can also be within the German Cup remaining and the Europa League remaining later this month whereas nonetheless unbeaten in 50 video games up to now this season.
Golf equipment linked with: Liverpool and Bayern Munich wished him badly, whereas Actual Madrid eye him because the successor of Carlo Ancelotti when he’ll determine to go away. However Alonso selected to remain at Leverkusen for no less than one other season.
Since Pep Guardiola, we now have by no means seen a supervisor be so profitable in his first full season at a prime membership. Whereas Guardiola had Lionel Messi and a stellar squad to name upon at Barcelona, Xabi Alonso just about needed to do all of it himself. He took over on the Bayer Area from Gerardo Seoane when the staff was seventeenth within the desk in October 2022 and in disaster. Previous to becoming a member of, he’d solely managed the Actual Sociedad reserve staff by then (with combined outcomes and a median factors per recreation of 1.5 and a 40% win ratio), although his repute and inventory had been each sky-high.
While you had been among the best gamers of your technology with one of many highest soccer IQs, and also you’d been coached by Rafael Benitez, José Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti throughout your profession, you’ll have appeared destined to turning into a prime supervisor like Mourinho himself tipped Alonso to be. And it is truthful to say he is already making historical past with this unimaginable 2023-24 season.
His staff performs an thrilling type of soccer that he has completely carried out along with his squad. His recruitment (Victor Boniface, Ale Grimaldo, Granit Xhaka, Nathan Tella, to call simply 4) has been nice, and he is drilled into his squad the identical spirit that Alonso himself displayed when Liverpool received the Champions League in Istanbul again in 2005. Leverkusen have been the kings of late objectives and late comebacks this season because of the mentality instilled by their implausible supervisor. — Julien Laurens
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Fashion of play: Amorim is dedicated to a 3-4-3 system, anchored on the again by former Liverpool defender Sebastián Coates, with wing-backs anticipated to cowl the whole lot of their flanks. In midfield, Amorim deploys two box-to-box midfielders behind a entrance three led by a standard No. 9. This season, Sweden ahead Viktor Gyökeres has helped to ship the Portuguese title with 27 objectives and 10 assists in 32 video games.
Greatest achievement thus far: Amorim ended Sporting’s 19-year look ahead to a home title in 2020-21 and broke the Benfica-Porto duopoly within the Primeira Liga. He has backed that up by profitable the title once more this season.
Golf equipment linked with: Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, West Ham United
Amorim is the rising star of Portuguese teaching and is tipped to comply with the likes of José Mourinho, André Villas-Boas, Marco Silva and Nuno Espírito Santo by securing a job in one in all Europe’s most high-profile leagues. The previous Benfica and Portugal midfielder mentioned this month that he was dedicated to 1 extra season at Sporting after guiding the staff to the Primeira Liga title. However having been excessive on the wished record of Liverpool and West Ham, Amorim may but be prised away from the Lisbon membership this summer time if a staff is ready to pay his €15m launch clause.
Amorim is a robust character all too prepared to defy authority. Throughout his enjoying days at Benfica, he clashed with coach Jorge Jesus over staff choice and refused to coach with the nonplaying squad. Throughout his first teaching job at third-tier Casa Pia, Amorim was given a one-year suspension by the Portuguese Soccer Federation for giving match directions with out having the teaching {qualifications} to take action; though the suspension was subsequently lifted, he resigned from his publish.
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His huge break got here with Braga, the place he received the Taça de Portugal in 2021 with victory in opposition to Porto within the remaining earlier than Sporting triggered a €10m launch clause to rent him as coach. Amorim’s eye for expertise noticed Sporting signal Pedro Porro, João Palhinha and João Mário earlier than ending the membership’s prolonged title drought. Amorim additionally received the home cup once more with Sporting, and was despatched to the stands for arguing with opposition coach Carlos Carvalhal on the touchline.
Amorim’s success in overcoming Benfica and Porto to ascertain Sporting as Portugal’s prime staff has made him the goal of many prime golf equipment, however his refusal to compromise on his 3-4-3 system may show to be a weak point as a lot as a energy going ahead. — Mark Ogden
SÉRGIO CONCEIÇÃO (FC Porto, 49)
Fashion of play: Quick, direct, aggressive soccer, urgent excessive and conserving a excessive defensive position. In Portugal’s Primeira Liga, Porto dominate possession and play on the entrance foot, however as they confirmed in opposition to Arsenal within the Champions League this season, they’re additionally prepared to be ruthlessly pragmatic.
Greatest achievement thus far: Porto hadn’t received the league in 4 years when Conceição took over in 2017, with Benfica threatening to match Porto’s document of 5 in a row. Conceição modified all that. Regardless of UEFA-imposed Monetary Honest Play restrictions that severely restricted their means within the switch market, Porto received the league at a canter in 2017-18, with two extra titles in 2020 and 2022. He has additionally led them to the Champions League quarterfinals twice, going toe-to-toe with larger golf equipment.
Golf equipment linked with: Conceição was linked to AC Milan in early Might. A supply instructed ESPN that he was prepared to maneuver from Porto this summer time after seven years in cost, focusing on a giant membership in Europe’s prime 5 leagues.
Conceição made his identify as a hardworking Serie A winger within the late 90s, enjoying for Lazio in addition to Parma and Inter Milan, and dealing with coaches Sven-Göran Eriksson and Hector Cuper. He starred for Portugal at Euro 2000 and briefly labored beneath Mourinho at Porto earlier than retiring in 2009 and turning to teaching. After some stormy, temporary managerial spells, his time at Porto has been an unequivocal success.
Conceição has received 10 trophies with Porto, a tally solely Jorge Jesus can match in Portuguese soccer, and holds the Portuguese document for many factors received in a season, 91. He’s demanding, intense and passionate, and that is mirrored in his groups. “Porto are like their coach,” Diego Simeone — who additionally performed alongside Conceição at Lazio — mentioned in 2022. “They’re enthusiastic, they’re alive, they’re energetic. They’re intense in assault and defence. They work collectively and that makes them aggressive.”
Conceição has dealt successfully with Porto’s restricted assets and infrequently idiosyncratic senior administration, serving to develop younger gamers who typically transfer to huge golf equipment for a major revenue: assume Éder Militão (Actual Madrid), Luis Díaz (Liverpool), Fabio Vieira (Arsenal) and Vitinha (PSG), amongst many others.
Conceição signed a brand new contract at Porto final month, however a supply has instructed ESPN that he has the precise to launch himself from that deal if he needs. He wish to take over a membership with a extra practical likelihood of profitable the Champions League, and which has a extra clearly outlined, skilled construction by which the coach can deal with teaching. — Alex Kirkland
Fashion of play: As he instructed ESPN final 12 months, De Zerbi’s philosophy is: “I prefer to hold the ball, to benefit from the ball, to attempt each recreation to be protagonists on the pitch, working with ardour, working with ambition and dealing in the direction of a dream.” Brighton ahead Danny Welbeck, in the meantime, says: “All people must be in sync.”
De Zerbi’s formations change between 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1 and 4-2-4, however whichever setup he makes use of, it revolves across the means to construct up from the again and transition rapidly to the opposition field, swarming, urgent and enjoying with excessive depth.
Greatest achievement thus far: Guiding Sassuolo into the highest eight of Serie A throughout each the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons was a outstanding achievement, however taking Brighton to sixth within the Premier League final season and qualifying them for the Europa League tops the invoice.
Golf equipment linked with: De Zerbi has been linked with a lot of the prime jobs in Europe, from Bayern to Barcelona. His identify has additionally been talked about in reference to Liverpool, Chelsea (the place uncertainty continues to encompass Mauricio Pochettino), Juventus and Napoli.
Pep Guardiola has lengthy been a De Zerbi evangelist. When he joined Brighton again in September 2022, Guardiola mentioned the Italian was “altering many issues in English soccer.” The sensation is mutual; De Zerbi has taken inspiration from Guardiola, too. The gamers themselves discuss De Zerbi’s means to inspire them and his midmatch tactical tweaks. They see the fervour he exudes on the touchline, in addition to the convenience with which he can shift his groups into totally different formations. Basically, his groups attempt to suffocate opponents, build up from the again with Guardiola beforehand hailing the best way De Zerbi’s staff progresses from goalkeeper to the ultimate third in a blink of a watch.
De Zerbi’s enjoying profession noticed him begin with AC Milan and dwell a nomadic life on mortgage throughout Italy, primarily enjoying in Serie B. His teaching profession started with a short-lived spell at Palermo, but it surely was at Sassuolo the place he earned his repute by main them twice to a top-half end in Serie A. There he lived and slept soccer, having a notepad by the aspect of his mattress in case some tactical inspiration slipped right into a dream.
He joined Shakhtar Donetsk in 2021 however left in July 2022 because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ended up taking cost of Brighton early within the 2022-23 marketing campaign. He led the Seagulls to sixth within the Premier League, qualification for Europa League and final season’s FA Cup semifinal.
This season has been a bit more durable at Brighton with their squad stretched due to their run to the Europa League spherical of 16, they usually sit in tenth. After their 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, De Zerbi bemoaned the accidents they’ve suffered but in addition the squad’s lack of motivation. “On this second, too many factors from European qualification, we’re working for an unclear goal, however I am unable to settle for a recreation with out soul,” he mentioned.
De Zerbi has requested for readability over his future and the membership’s ambitions, saying again in March that he was eager to carry talks — his contract runs by means of 2026. However then he was obscure in April relating to his future. “I’ve not determined to go away, it’s not the precise time but to determine something,” he mentioned. The indication is that Brighton expects him to remain, however the relationship is extra strained. His summer time prospects are in all probability depending on (a) which jobs can be found and (b) his relationship with Brighton. — Tom Hamilton
FRANCESCO FARIOLI (Good, 35)
Fashion of play: In his first foray into teaching, Farioli developed a repute in Turkey for risk-filled attacking play. He has proven extra defensive acumen since arriving in France in 2023 in an encouraging signal that he’s turning into a extra balanced coach. The Italian additionally has proven he likes a 3-4-3 formation, asking his defensive midfielder to drop into the backline because the full-backs push ahead.
Greatest achievement thus far: Certainly turning into the youngest coach in a top-tier European league. At 31 years previous, he took over at Fatih Karagümrük in March 2021 earlier than touchdown a significant job, once more in Turkey, with Alanyaspor in December of the identical 12 months.
Golf equipment linked with: Farioli has seen his identify touted amongst golf equipment again in Italy equivalent to Milan and Napoli along with elsewhere round Europe, with Ajax and Manchester United additionally talked about. Final summer time, there have been additionally hyperlinks with Championship aspect Sunderland as they regarded for a vibrant younger coach to information their very own group of fledglings.
Farioli’s first steps into the sport had been as an assistant to Brighton boss De Zerbi. A member of De Zerbi’s technical staff at Benevento reached out to Farioli after studying an article he wrote for scouting platform WyScout. De Zerbi initially introduced Farioli in as his goalkeeping coach and had him by his aspect at each Benevento and Sassuolo. Farioli’s first correct teaching job got here at age 31 with Fatih Karagümrük. There, his ultra-attacking type caught the attention of Alanyaspor, who employed him in December of the identical 12 months.
Good had been equally impressed and positioned him in control of a younger first-team squad. Since being on the French membership, Farioli has added some defensive nous, although it has come on the expense of some attacking vibrance. Farioli additionally has proven a need for his full-backs to not solely turn out to be inverted (transferring centrally and overloading the midfield whereas in possession) but in addition present overlaps, whereas requiring his goalkeeper and centre-backs to be assured in possession.
Good went unbeaten this season till December, they usually have managed wins away at each Monaco and PSG. They’re nonetheless in scorching rivalry for European soccer subsequent season, sitting fifth (and automated Europa League qualification) with a four-point hole to fourth-place Brest and two video games left. (If they’ll end fourth, that will put them within the Champions League).
As the person himself said, “When Plan A would not work, you want a greater Plan A,” confirming Farioli may be very a lot a supervisor of rules and perception in his philosophy. His teaching influences are additionally attention-grabbing, with Farioli naming the extra defensive-minded Arrigo Sacchi and Mourinho because the coaches he appears to be like as much as, although he additionally dropped in his admiration for Guardiola’s Barcelona and Johan Cruyff’s Ajax. That Farioli has proven his consciousness of defending with extra accountability this season, it suggests he’s making ready for all times at a significant membership the place the calls for are larger relating to be being versatile tactically. — David Cartlidge
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THOMAS FRANK (Brentford, 50)
Fashion of play: Brentford change between a 3-5-2 and 4-3-3 formation, each with attacking intentions. They play with tempo and verticality, priding themselves on set piece excellence. Underneath Frank’s ways, their wing-backs get loads of miles beneath their belt, not afraid to hit groups on the counter, however are equally adept at focusing play by means of the center, with Frank often favouring a defensive anchor paired with two energetic box-to-box midfielders.
Greatest achievement thus far: Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League in 2021 was a defining second with their return to the highest flight for the primary time in 74 years.
Golf equipment linked with: Frank has been talked about as a doable successor to Klopp whereas additionally having been named as a doable contender for Manchester United as they weigh up Erik ten Hag’s future.
Frank’s teaching profession began within the youth sides of the Denmark nationwide staff setup — whereas doubling up as a trainer — and he labored his method as much as managing their under-19 males’s staff earlier than taking cost of Brøndby in 2013. Over the course of three seasons, he led them into Europe twice earlier than leaving in March 2016. By December of the identical 12 months, he was assistant coach at Brentford, charged with bridging the hole between the B staff and the primary staff, earlier than taking on from Dean Smith in October 2018. He led them to the Championship playoff remaining in 2020 and secured promotion a 12 months later.
In his first season within the Premier League, they completed in thirteenth. Then they completed ninth final time period regardless of having the bottom wage price range within the league, based on a Capology research. Frank additionally has tailored brilliantly to Brentford’s data-led strategy to recruitment, working with the signings introduced in. However it’s his unflappable nature, his unimaginable means to enhance gamers throughout his squad and his ruthlessly environment friendly type of high-energy play on the sector that has seen him win so many admirers.
“Thomas is a really trustworthy individual,” mentioned Brentford’s on-loan left-back Sergio Reguilón. “I really like the best way he talks to everybody, to you, the gamers. I really like him.”
Klopp mentioned earlier within the season of Frank: “He is doing a superb job there and appears to be very joyful there. Some time in the past, we had a managers assembly, and he may get there by bike, so he likes life within the space. He is a cool man. I respect him loads.”
Frank has managed to climate something and all the pieces that has been thrown at him, staying calm all through. “His energy is his consistency of vitality,” a supply instructed ESPN. “I am certain he will get confused, however he hardly ever loses it and stays very level-headed.”
That is to not say it has been simple. Over the previous 9 months, he misplaced first-choice goalkeeper David Raya in the summertime and chief purpose scorer Ivan Toney to an eight-month suspension for breaching betting guidelines. However Brentford nonetheless have managed to safe their top-flight security regardless of having a brutal harm record — together with 29 separate substantial absences for key gamers — this season.
Frank is signed up with Brentford by means of to 2027 and is not agitating for a transfer, but it surely’s straightforward to think about him someplace larger sooner or later. “I feel all of us have sort of an ego, and the ego likes that little little bit of sugar, however on the finish of the day, I am at Brentford. I am very joyful right here,” Frank mentioned in February. “Do I’ve ambitions? Sure. Am I going to remain at Brentford without end? Possibly, however in all probability not. What I do know is that I am right here at Brentford and I am very pleased with it.” — Hamilton
Fashion of play: A lot of verticality, plus fast ahead projections and transitions with an aggressive press in a 4-4-2 formation.
Greatest achievement thus far: His Stuttgart aspect is third within the desk and he received the third-division title with the Bayern reserve staff 4 years in the past.
Golf equipment linked with: His identify was very excessive on the Bayern Munich shortlist to exchange Thomas Tuchel in the summertime, however he determined to signal a brand new deal at Stuttgart.
Hoeneß isn’t a reputation straightforward to hold in Germany. Sebastian won’t ever be probably the most well-known Hoeneß in German soccer — that honor goes to his uncle, Uli, for his exploits as a participant and Bayern Munich president — however he’s making a (first) identify for himself. Outdoors of Alonso, Hoeneß has been the most effective coach within the Bundesliga this season, and it isn’t been shut.
After arriving at Stuttgart in April 2023 and ending sixteenth, he modified the staff and its fortunes fully to make it among the best within the nation. After doing effectively with the Bayern Munich youth and reserve groups, and a good first season in cost at Hoffenheim (selecting up 1.4 factors per recreation from 2020 to 2022), Stuttgart was a giant job, and he rose to the event. His staff has been tremendous environment friendly in all areas of the pitch — specifically their assault, the place Serhou Guirassy and Denis Undav have been excellent. He made each participant enhance individually whereas collectively, his staff was resilient and effectively drilled.
Taking this aspect into subsequent season’s Champions League appears like a trophy for him, although larger and higher issues certainly await him. Possibly he’ll staff up along with his uncle at Bayern sooner or later, however for now he’ll proceed constructing his personal path. — Laurens
Fashion of play: When McKenna took cost of Ipswich in December 2021, with the staff twelfth in League One, he made clear his willpower to revive the staff by instilling a possession-based recreation on the membership. He has retained that philosophy and secured back-to-back promotions.
Greatest achievement thus far: McKenna ended Ipswich’s 22-year absence from the Premier League by profitable promotion from the Championship this season — an achievement made much more spectacular as a result of the staff obtained promotion from League One solely 12 months earlier.
Golf equipment linked with: Brighton, Celtic, Crystal Palace, Leicester Metropolis, Manchester United.
Having progressed by means of the youth ranks at Tottenham Hotspur, McKenna was compelled to retire on the age of twenty-two with out making a senior look because of a hip harm. Decided to make a profession in soccer, the Northern Irishman earned a sports activities science diploma at Loughborough College earlier than working as a youth staff coach at Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Leicester and the Vancouver Whitecaps.
McKenna returned to Spurs, transferring by means of the teaching ranks to turn out to be head of the membership’s under-18 groups till he was employed by Manchester United to imagine the identical function at Previous Trafford. His work with the United children caught the attention of then-manager Mourinho, who promoted McKenna to first-team teaching duties following the departure of longtime assistant Rui Faria in 2018. When Mourinho was fired in December 2018, incoming supervisor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer retained McKenna inside his first-team teaching group.
Throughout Solskjaer’s turbulent three-year interval in cost, United provided to recruit a extra skilled coach to bolster the teaching setup — each McKenna and fellow coach Michael Carrick had been considered as being novices — however Solskjaer rejected the proposal, insisting that he had a “world-class” teaching staff with McKenna and Carrick. Following Solskjaer’s exit in November 2021, McKenna labored beneath interim supervisor Ralf Rangnick for a month earlier than being employed by Ipswich. His two promotions at Portman Street have earmarked McKenna as a rising star in administration, however having secured Premier League soccer by profitable promotion, McKenna is predicted to stay at Ipswich subsequent season relatively than looking for a transfer elsewhere.
“I find it irresistible right here,” McKenna mentioned as Ipswich celebrated promotion. “There’s some huge and thrilling steps to return.” — Ogden
MÍCHEL (Girona, 48)
Fashion of play: Assault-minded, fluid, passing soccer. Girona are the second-highest scorers in LaLiga this season — one purpose behind Actual Madrid — however that optimistic strategy means they concede objectives, too. The staff’s form incessantly shifts. Michel typically favours a again 4 however can change to 3 on the again, relying on the opposition.
Greatest achievement thus far: Taking Girona into LaLiga’s prime 4 — on the time of writing they’re second, some extent forward of Barcelona — and, whereas it lasted, mounting a reputable title problem up in opposition to two giants with larger, higher squads and far greater wage payments.
Golf equipment linked with: Girona’s success — and enjoying type — has seen Michel talked about as a future Barca coach. He is additionally been linked with potential summer time vacancies at Manchester United and Chelsea, and Girona’s membership of the Metropolis Group makes him an apparent candidate to finally succeed Guardiola.
As a participant, Michel was a hero at Rayo Vallecano, a proficient midfielder thought to be among the best gamers within the modest membership’s historical past. As a coach, he made his identify at Rayo too, getting them promoted to LaLiga in 2018 earlier than being sacked the subsequent season. He repeated the trick at Huesca the next 12 months, profitable them promotion, however failing to see out the marketing campaign in Primera.
At Girona, his profile as a coach has skyrocketed. Having acquired a repute as a promotion specialist, he was introduced in in 2021 and charged with getting Girona again into the primary division after two failed makes an attempt. Surviving an early tough patch, they received promotion — Michel’s third as a coach — by means of the playoffs.
A stable, midtable end in 2023 to consolidate Girona’s place within the prime flight was a prelude to this season’s blockbuster marketing campaign. Girona surprised Spanish soccer by going prime of LaLiga final fall and threatening to interrupt up the Madrid/Barca duopoly. They could not maintain that title push, unable to maintain tempo with Madrid within the second half of the season, but it surely’s nonetheless been a marketing campaign filled with highlights. Two league wins over Barcelona — beating them 4-2 residence and away — stand out.
Michel’s subsequent problem will likely be repeating Girona’s success in 2024-25, now that they are not a shock, and — offered UEFA approve their involvement, given the Metropolis connection — overseeing their debut marketing campaign within the Champions League. — Kirkland
THIAGO MOTTA (Bologna, 41)
Fashion of play: The previous Barcelona, Inter and PSG man has turn out to be synonymous with a excessive possession type of play, preaching optimistic, fluid soccer that overawes opponents. As with many coaches lately, there’s additionally a robust emphasis on profitable again the ball excessive up the pitch.
Greatest achievement thus far: Not solely did Bologna safe a European place for the primary time in 22 years, however the Rossoblù will likely be making that bow within the Champions League no much less.
Golf equipment linked with: Juventus are the membership to which he is most frequently linked, and plenty of studies have gone so far as to recommend a deal has already been struck to land Motta. Chelsea and Manchester United are the others talked about.
Motta’s success has not been with no few bumps within the street. His first job at Genoa ended with him being fired after the membership slumped to final place in Serie A. At Spezia, nevertheless, he confirmed extra of his burgeoning expertise as a coach. Regardless of practically sacking him, the membership endured with Motta, who repaid them by serving to Spezia escape relegation.
Bologna has been nothing however a significant success for Motta, nevertheless, the place he is showcased a particularly fluid, energetic model of soccer. Italian legend Fabio Capello believes there’s a heavy Spanish tactical affect on Motta’s strategy, following his time as a participant there with Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Nevertheless, having labored beneath Mourinho and cult teaching determine Gian Piero Gasperini, it is clear Motta has regarded to take one thing from each coach he is labored with. The flexibility and suppleness in his strategy have to be admired.
If Juventus are to interrupt away from the Massimiliano Allegri period, there would not be a coach extra additional faraway from the Italian’s gruelling on the attention type. A younger squad with excessive technical means in addition to sturdy bodily traits is clearly when Motta does his finest work. — Cartlidge
Fashion of play: Slot is a 4-3-3 coach, which is a key consider his emergence as Liverpool’s option to succeed Klopp as supervisor at Anfield. Feyenoord play an aggressive, high-energy attacking model of soccer and, once more like Liverpool, play to win possession rapidly when shedding the ball within the attacking third of the pitch.
Greatest achievement thus far: Domestically, Slot’s greatest success was guiding Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title — the membership’s second Dutch championship this century — in 2022-23. Guiding the Rotterdam-based staff to the Europa Convention League remaining in 2022, earlier than shedding to Mourinho’s Roma in Tirana, embellished his repute on the European stage.
Golf equipment linked with: Slot was talked about in relation to a string of golf equipment (from Leeds United to Tottenham, Chelsea and Bayern Munich) however he’s anticipated to be introduced as Liverpool’s new supervisor within the coming days.
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Laurens: Arne Slot ‘ticks all of the containers’ for Liverpool
Julien Laurens reacts to the information that Liverpool and Feyenoord have reached an compensation settlement for Arne Slot to take the reins at Anfield.
Slot had an unremarkable profession as a midfielder, making greater than 450 appearances within the Netherlands with 4 totally different golf equipment, however he by no means made it to one of many Eredivisie’s huge three (Ajax, Feyenoord or PSV Eindhoven). Thought to be a participant with passing imaginative and prescient and creativity relatively than a bodily, box-to-box midfielder, Slot began his teaching profession as a youth coach with PEC Zwolle after ending his enjoying days in 2013. However his teaching profession has been a gradual burn, with Slot transferring to second division aspect Cambuur after a 12 months at Zwolle, turning into an assistant to a succession of coaches earlier than being appointed joint-coach with Sipke Hulshoff in October 2016.
Regardless of guiding Cambuur to the Dutch Cup semifinals for the primary time in 2017, Slot relinquished his joint-manager function to take one other assistant coach place at AZ Alkmaar and it wasn’t till the beginning of the 2019-20 season that he can be appointed as head coach, when he stepped up at AZ following the departure of John van den Brom. Along with his first season halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Slot was then fired by AZ in December 2020 after negotiating a deal to hitch Feyenoord. Though his time in Alkmaar was comparatively temporary, his common haul of two.11 factors per recreation was the best in AZ’s Eredivisie historical past.
Slot’s 3½ years at Feyenoord have coincided with a revival of the membership’s fortunes, with success within the league and cup in addition to the run to the Europa Convention League remaining, however he’ll transfer to Liverpool having managed simply six video games within the Champions League, shedding 4 and profitable two.
In contrast to fellow Dutch coach Erik ten Hag, who left Ajax for Manchester United in 2022, Slot is an ebullient character, fluent in English and one who prioritises making a bond with the supporters of the membership he coaches. In that respect, he shares traits with the person he’ll exchange at Liverpool, Klopp, however he’ll head to Anfield with a transparent lack of expertise on the highest stage of the sport. — Ogden
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