Rousing the Kop

What Jurgen Klopp said to Richard Hughes after being told Arne Slot would replace him at Liverpool

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Jurgen Klopp had a message for Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards after learning Arne Slot would be the man to replace him.After Klopp stepped down as Liverpool manager, the Reds wasted little time finding a replacement.On the back of an impressive spell with Feyenoord, Slot was installed in the Anfield dugout on May 20, 2024.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Less than a year later, Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions for a second time, with Klopp’s verdict on the Dutchman proven right.Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty ImagesJurgen Klopp happy to be replaced as Liverpool manager by Arne SlotSpeaking on the Walk On podcast, journalist James Pearce has now shared what the German said when he found out Slot was the man set to take his job.He revealed: “Klopp was told that Slot would be getting the job ahead of it, becoming kind of public knowledge, if you like.



“And his reaction was, yeah, cool choice. He said to Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards that, I think you’ve made a really shrewd decision there.”While Slot did have a prolific debut campaign in England, his future at Liverpool has been questioned this season.The Reds are no longer favourites to win the Premier League this season, already sitting eight points off Arsenal with five losses from 11.Such a poor start has led to speculation about Slot leaving in 2025/26, though that is not expected to happen anytime soon.Photo by MB Media/Getty ImagesWould Jurgen Klopp return to LiverpoolDuring the height of this talk, Klopp commented on returning to Liverpool.When quizzed on an Anfield reunion on the Diary of a CEO Podcast last month, the 58-year-old refused to rule it out.He said: “I said I will never coach a different team in England so that means, if [I did return], then it’s Liverpool.“So, yeah, theoretically it is possible.”A return to management for Klopp does, however, seem unlikely at this stage.He is the Global Head of Soccer for Red Bull and is set to work as a pundit at the 2026 World Cup in North America.