Liverpool have now reached an agreement with Feyenoord to hire Arne Slot as their new manager next season.
Slot had emerged as the leading candidate over the course of the week, and things have moved quickly to get a deal in place.
The 45-year-old looks set to arrive following the end of the current season after Liverpool wave an emotional farewell to Jurgen Klopp.
It won’t only be Slot arriving at Anfield, though. There are reports that as many as three of the Dutchman’s backroom team will be following him from Rotterdam.
So, all that’s left now is seemingly the official announcement. And speaking exclusively to Rousing The Kop, journalist Graeme Bailey has shared when and how that might happen.
When might Liverpool announce Arne Slot
As has become a bit of a trademark for FSG CEO of football Michael Edwards, he doesn’t mess around once he locks in on a target.
From the minute Slot’s name circulated as the new favourite, it felt inevitable that a deal would be done in the coming days.
And speaking to us on Friday afternoon, Bailey correctly predicted that an agreement would be found with Feyenoord over the weekend, before suggesting when an official announcement could happen.
“I think Feyenoord would like it put to bed officially by Monday,” said the journalist.
“I think it’ll get done on Saturday before their game on Sunday. The negotiations will get done by Sunday.
“By the time they play again I think it’ll be done and dusted. But I think Liverpool will allow Feyenoord to announce it how they want really.”
Liverpool taking Feyenoord’s lead
As the ‘selling’ club in this scenario, it feels only right that Liverpool take their lead from Feyenoord here.
At the end of the day, it has to be a collaboration between the clubs. If one announces it before the other is ready, it can unprofessional and can foster bad blood. Once an announcement has been made by either side, there’s no going back.
In the case of Slot in particular, it makes sense to do it sooner rather than later. From Liverpool’s point of view, with three weeks left of the season, it feels like enough time so as not to overshadow Klopp’s farewell.
And in Feyenoord’s eyes, they have the same amount of time remaining in the campaign. They’re also playing for nothing with PSV a point away from the title with three games left. Having already won the cup, it gives them time to appropriately say goodbye to a manager who is universally popular.
Bailey says it’ll be announced by Monday, so let’s see how things pan out over the next two days.