A five-hour delay in Doha gave this Liverpool fan plenty of time to soak up and replicate on Arne Slot‘s first interview because the Reds’ new coach, it left a robust first impression.
After the emotional farewell to Jurgen Klopp, in some methods, it was good to step outdoors of the Liverpool bubble as I voyaged to Australia for a really special day.
I stored a tentative eye on developments, however because it was so quiet when it got here to any switch hypothesis and phrases from Slot himself, it was straightforward to change off for a number of weeks.
However simply as I used to be about to depart on a 14-hour flight from Sydney to Doha, the notification that we had been ready for arrived, ‘Arne Slot‘s first interview’.
Unbelievable timing after ready weeks for any updates.
Whereas a five-hour delay within the Doha airport was removed from fascinating, it did supply the prospect for me to settle in and return to the Liverpool bubble as Slot spoke as our head coach for the primary time.
I discovered him trustworthy, open and, importantly, conscious of the job he has taken on, but in addition confident sufficient that he might be doing it his personal method.
Quietly assured…
Nestled right into a nook sales space – a fortunate discover on my half after far too lengthy strolling across the gargantuan airport ready for any flight updates – I pulled up the interview on my telephone.
Twenty-six minutes and 30 seconds, a superb size for anybody looking for methods to make the sudden wait go quicker and an honest alternative for a primary take a look at the brand new man on the helm.
I can not lie, there’s nonetheless part of me that expects Jurgen Klopp to stroll by the doorways for pre-season within the coming weeks, however I used to be given a elevate by what we heard from the Dutchman.
He’s been a pupil of what Klopp did on the membership, however he’s confident sufficient that he doesn’t must attempt to be Jurgen in any method.
“Let one factor be clear: the gamers aren’t going to get all the identical workouts once more – we’ll implement our personal issues,” he stated.
There was a quiet conviction in his phrases, there have been no over-the-top guarantees – as we’re witnessing in UK politics proper now – however fairly a transparent confidence that he can rise to the problem.
“I believe ultimately we might all like to see Liverpool a bit larger than third place and that is the problem we face now – to construct on from what we now have,” Slot defined.
“I’ve all the arrogance on this due to the gamers, that we will add a number of issues the place we hopefully can get a bit extra factors than 82.”
It’s no secret that there was trepidation when all indicators pointed to his appointment, however you possibly can ask for little extra from this primary ‘official’ introduction.
The job is a frightening one, however he didn’t come throughout as intimidated by it or the footwear he’s to fill, fairly selecting to be respectful of what Klopp left behind whereas reiterating his perception in his personal rules.
That may be the ‘naked minimal’ for some, however let’s not neglect this is likely one of the most pressurised jobs on the earth and we will solely take what we’ve been given thus far, and it’s promising.
He wasn’t attempting to win me over, however he slowly is
Whereas I lay haphazardly on this sales space, prepared my vitality to regenerate, what additionally struck me was the undercurrent of effervescent pleasure from Arne for what’s to come back.
Fast with a smile and armed with solutions that neither dragged on nor lacked depth, I discovered myself slowly beginning to be received over regardless of him clearly not trying to purposefully achieve this.
That is solely the primary interview and we now have not seen something on the pitch but, however he impressed some confidence inside me and that’s greater than what I anticipated.
Earlier than he was formally confirmed within the position, we did hear rather a lot from the 45-year-old – most likely an excessive amount of – however what has not modified is how personable he comes throughout.
That’s key in profitable over the gamers, membership workers and, after all, the followers and you possibly can not fault his openness and communication abilities.
The message he left us all with was on the cash: “I’ll do every little thing inside my curiosity and energy to guide the crew in the absolute best method.”
As a custodian of the membership, it’s all followers can ask. The way it will all pan out, solely time will inform.
However after almost 5 hours of mulling it throughout, plus an additional seven hours on one other flight, I used to be extra optimistic than I used to be earlier than and that buzz for the brand new season slowly began to come back out of hibernation.
No person is aware of what the long run holds, however Slot’s phrases and disposition was a small injection of perception I didn’t realise I wanted, and possibly I get nearer to becoming a member of Klopp in a rendition of ‘Arne Slot, na na, na na na!’ Simply possibly…
