New Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been branded an ‘idiot’ for his bizarre kick-off routine as a player – but the Dutch manager had the last laugh!
- During his playing career, Arne Slot played 176 matches for PEC Zwolle.
- The former midfielder left many people confused about his kick-off routine.
- CHRIS SUTTON: If I were Trent Alexander-Arnold and Real Madrid came in for me, I’d try something different and leave Liverpool – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off!
Arne Slot has reportedly been branded an ‘idiot’ by his critics for his bizarre kick-off routine which would see the new Liverpool boss launch the ball high into the sky from a restart.
It appears, however, that there was a method to his madness, with Slot, who enjoyed several spells for Dutch side PEC Zwolle during his playing career, seemingly catching opposition players off guard.
On Monday, the Merseyside side confirmed that the Dutchman would succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool’s next permanent manager after the German announced he would leave the club at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
The news had all but been confirmed by the Reds, with Klopp leading the chants for new manager Slot as he addressed the Anfield crowd after his final game in charge, a 2-0 win over Wolves. Meanwhile, the outgoing Feyenoord manager had apparently also confirmed his appointment before Liverpool’s announcement and was seen singing the Liverpool anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ at a going away party this week-end.
Slot has enjoyed success both as a player and as a manager, notably guiding Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title last year, before winning the Dutch Cup this season. As a player, he helped Zwolle gain promotion to the Dutch top flight, after his team were crowned second division champions in 2012 and 2002.
New Liverpool manager Arne Slot has already been branded an ‘idiot’ for his bizarre kick-off routine.
The former EC Zwolle midfielder sent the ball high into the air immediately after restarts.
He made 176 appearances for the Blauwvingers during his career, but was well known for his rather bizarre tactic of throwing the ball high into the sky after a restart.
A video has emerged online of Liverpool’s new manager performing the interesting routine, tossing the ball into the air before launching it high into the sky after a restart.
This left some fans online wondering why, with Gerald van den Belt, Cambuur’s finance director, telling the Telegraph that Slot had been criticized by TV pundits for the kick-off routine.
“‘What an idiot,’ his critics laughed,” Van den Belt told the outlet.
Despite this, Van den Belt, who reportedly gave Slot his first chance at management, added that the tactic was a ploy used by the Dutch midfielder to surprise opposing players, forcing them to look at the sun from the start. sending.
“And yet that year, Zwolle scored seven times in the first 30 seconds,” he added.
As a player, Slot possessed excellent technical abilities and played primarily as a number 10. As well as his time at Zwolle, he also had spells at NAC Breda and Sparta Rotterdam, before hanging up his boots in 2013.
He received some criticism for this decision, but it appears he had the last laugh.
His Zwolle team reportedly scored in the first 30 seconds of seven different matches.
Slot would use this tactic as a ploy to force opposing players to stare at the sun after a restart.
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) were hoping to see Liverpool deploy this tactic next season.
Meanwhile, fans have reacted to the video online, with many looking forward to seeing Liverpool players deploy the tactic next season.
One wrote on
Another added: “Route one, I’m there.” ” Meanwhile, another added: “Can we please do this at least once. »
“I can’t wait for Trent (Alexander-Arnold) to do this,” said another.
