Arne Slot stated that the opportunity to work at one of the world's biggest clubs was "difficult to ignore" after Liverpool confirmed on Monday that the Feyenoord coach would be their new manager.
Just 24 hours after Jurgen Klopp's emotional farewell at Anfield, the Premier League club announced that the Dutchman would assume the role of head coach on June 1, pending a work permit.
The club did not disclose the length of Slot's contract, but it was widely reported in the British press that he had signed a three-year deal.
The new manager's appointment was widely anticipated, with Liverpool reportedly agreeing to a compensation deal worth up to £9.4 million ($12 million) with Feyenoord.
Slot, 45, confirmed Anfield as his next destination during his final pre-match press conference at the Eredivisie club on Friday.
"It is certainly not an easy decision to leave a club where you have experienced so many wonderful moments and worked successfully with so many wonderful people," he told Feyenoord's website on Monday.
"But as a sportsman, an opportunity to become a head coach in the Premier League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, is difficult to ignore."
Klopp, 56, announced in January that the 2023/24 season would be his last at Anfield, and he took charge of his final game on Sunday, a 2-0 win against Wolves.
In his farewell speech to the crowd, the German urged fans to fully support his successor, leading them in a chant of "Arne Slot, na na na na na."
"You welcome the new manager like you welcomed me," he said. "You go all-in from the first day. And you keep believing and you push the team."
FEYENOORD SUCCESS
Slot, who was linked with a move to Tottenham last year, became Feyenoord boss in 2021 after impressing in his first managerial role at AZ Alkmaar.
He led the Dutch giants to the inaugural Europa Conference League final at the end of his first season, which they lost 1-0 to Jose Mourinho's Roma.
Slot then delivered just the second league title in 24 years to De Kuip last season before signing a new three-year deal.
Feyenoord have enjoyed a strong season, winning the Dutch Cup and finishing second in the league to an all-conquering PSV Eindhoven side.
Under Slot, Feyenoord have thrilled the fans at De Kuip with an attacking brand of football, earning praise from Klopp himself.
"I like the way his team plays football. If he is the one, I like that he wants it," Klopp said last month.
"It's the best job in the world, best club in the world. Great job, great team, fantastic people. A really interesting job."
Liverpool captain and fellow Dutchman Virgil van Dijk has praised Slot's attacking mindset, saying it aligns with the philosophy at Anfield.
Speaking about the future under the new boss, Van Dijk said: "It is all about sticking together and giving him the chance to show what he is capable of with the other guys who will come in.
"He probably knows already, but everyone knows our expectations are always huge and it is about managing that in the right way and getting the maximum out of all of our players."
Slot has big shoes to fill at Anfield after Klopp restored Liverpool to the elite of English and European football during his nine-year reign.
Under his leadership, Liverpool won a sixth Champions League crown and a 19th league title, as well as a clutch of other trophies.
Initially, Bayer Leverkusen boss and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso was the favorite to succeed Klopp at Anfield.
However, Alonso committed to staying at Leverkusen as he led them to a first-ever Bundesliga title.
Liverpool finished third in the Premier League, qualifying for next season's Champions League, and won the League Cup in Klopp's final season.