On a typical Sunday, Rotterdam was cloaked under a substantial cloud layer. Yet, as the afternoon bled into the early evening, the clouds dispersed just as supporters began to throng into De Kuip stadium for Feyenoord’s second-to-last home game. On an unexpectedly bright and warm evening, the Feyenoord team exhibited their superiority over PEC Zwolle.
On the sideline, Arne Slot, presiding over his 100th league match, remained steadfast. His son, Joep, who had yearned to experience the most raucous section of the stadium for nearly three years, was positioned amongst the most passionate supporters in the Gerard Meijer Tribune.
As the 82nd minute rolled around, the whole stadium echoed with praises to his father. At the very moment Slot reciprocated their applause by raising his hands, Santiago Giménez notched the concluding goal in a 5-0 triumph. As the final whistle sounded and Slot approached the supporters to bid adieu, the usually deafening techno was replaced with ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. Such effortlessly perfect moments are a rarity in football.
Slot later confided, “It’s a unique circumstance when supporters chant your name like this; usually, they sing different songs when a manager has a streak of losing games.”
For the upcoming game against Excelsior next Sunday, a significant section of the Gerard Meijer Tribune will be shuttered as punishment for the supporters’ misuse of flares during the KNVB Cup semi-final victory against Groningen. This scenario signalled farewell for many hardcore fans. Paul van Dijk, a longstanding season-ticket holder in that particular section expressed, “I have never witnessed Feyenoord perform at this level. It’s indeed heartfelt.”
Van Dijk continued, “Modern football sees a lot of players and managers come and go. We’re devastated to see Slot leave, but we take pride in him having made his mark at Feyenoord. We’re equally disheartened to start afresh. This period with him has been dreamlike.”
Slot experienced considerable success in Rotterdam, guiding Feyenoord to third place in the league and the final of the Europa Conference League in his opening season. The following year saw them claim their second Eredivisie championship of the century, while his third season witnessed a KNVB Cup victory with a potential to outperform the previous year’s point record. However, the team fell short of a second-league title due to an extraordinary run from PSV Eindhoven.
Despite this impressive tenure, Slot is set for a move to Liverpool. The seeming ambiguity in the crowd’s reaction after the final whistle made it challenging to discern whether it was an opportune time for Slot to disembark or a ridiculous one.
Slot reflected on the difficulty of this decision, acknowledging that the dynamics amongst supporters remain consistent. He initially desired to commit more years to Feyenoord. However, he also conceded that life provides opportunities that warrant consideration, leading to his decision to exit the club.
Just a few months prior, Slot suggested that he had no reason to leave, hinting he may mirror Arsène Wenger’s sustained influence at Arsenal with Feyenoord. Yet, he now aims to emulate Jürgen Klopp’s celebrated reign at Liverpool, albeit with a different approach.
While Slot’s demeanor during the final whistle mirrored Klopp, it was an unusual display from a character generally known for his cool-headed and silent touchline presence. His typical behaviour is more composed, usually with crossed arms or hands tucked in pockets.
Commenting on Slot’s character, former Feyenoord player and coach Mario Been said that the charismatic coach is grounded, not overly expressive, and relishes working with others. Been, now a television pundit, spoke highly of Slot, delineating him as a delightful individual who commands affection from players due to his warm demeanor.
He can turn nothing into something. Numerous Dutch coaches may have failed to make their mark in England, but this man could be the exception if given enough time. From day one, he begins to implement his desired style of play, which involves aggressive pressing and requires full commitment from all players. The transformative effect he has on players is evident in Quinten Timber, for instance. Quinten’s performance last year was far from impressive, but after receiving guidance from Arne, he’s now a member of the national squad.
Feyenoord has collected €110m from player transfers over the most recent two seasons, with further exits anticipated in the coming summer. One potential departure is Giménez, who joined Feyenoord from Mexican club Cruz Azul for €6m in 2022. The 23-year-old player praises Slot, describing him as an all-rounded coach who knows when to acknowledge good performances and when to push for improvement.
Slot is characterized by his strong communicative skills and clarity of vision for his team, bringing remarkable intensity and numerous offensive plays. Slot’s preference is attacking games, and he believes that a strong offense bolsters defense.
Feyenoord showcased a dynamic 4-1-3-2 formation on Sunday, often adding their full-backs to their forward lineup when they had the ball. Centre-back Thomas Beelen stood out in defence, although his distribution skills lacked slightly. He would at times move forward with the ball in possession, leaving a scant two players trailing him. Slot’s take on a particular segment of the second half was unusual for their style. Despite being an attack-minded team with many players involved in forward moves, they rarely surrender counterattacks or chances. For Slot, the five-goal haul isn’t happenstance.
One of the essentials for their game approach is the athletic prowess of the players. Coaching under Slot may be enjoyable, yet undeniably challenging. As noted by Dennis Kranenburg, an ex-junior squad player who now provides commentary on Feyenoord’s matches for Rijnmond radio, “Even in the last moments of the match, it’s still a high-energy game covering the entire field.” The way he conveys his message to the players is well-received as he is always very explicit. One player disclosed to me, “When the coach outlines a sequence of events prior to a match, those exact events unfold.” Every prediction he makes is spot on.
He maintains that clarity when interacting with the press as well. He’s sharp-witted with a clear grasp of what he intends to communicate, which is greatly appreciated by his supporters. That might be his most formidable quality. I wager that if you were to ask anyone in the stadium about their thoughts on Arne Slot, everyone would request for a statue in his tribute, or suggest naming the stadium after him. He boasts a high popularity level around here.
If Sunday was like a dream come true, it’s probably not startling for a fan base who have been living the dream for three years. Meanwhile, in Liverpool, another manager will soon receive the ovation of his supporters for the final time, despite just missing out on the league victory. As for Slot, a fresh hurdle lies ahead. – The Guardian