-
News
- 17 minutes ago
Arne Slot already knows his next job after Liverpool sacking
Milan Keskin
- Updated: 23 Mar 2026 18:14 GMT
- 5 min read
News
Jordi Cruyff has set his sights on bringing in either Liverpool boss Arne Slot or former Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag as Ajax's new head coach.
The technical director of Ajax sees the duo as the ideal candidates to take over the reins at the Johan Cruyff ArenA next season. This is reported by Mike Verweij in De Telegraaf's Kick-off podcast.
Ajax are currently looking for a permanent replacement for the managerial position, after Oscar Garcia was promoted from Jong Ajax earlier this month to serve as interim manager.
Although Cruyff is also said to be explicitly looking at the Spanish market for a potential successor, Slot and Ten Hag remain the most important domestic options for the Amsterdam club.
Dutch candidates
Verweij emphasises that Ajax's current technical director has a clear preference for the two successful coaches. "It is an open secret that Jordi Cruyff is very charmed by Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot," according to the club insider.
The journalist states that there is a good chance that Ajax will look abroad if this duo proves to be unfeasible. "I think they are the only two Dutch candidates he currently sees as suitable for Ajax's managerial position. Otherwise, he will look abroad. In this case, that might well be Spain, but it doesn't necessarily have to be," says Verweij.
Fellow journalist Valentijn Driessen recalls that the current Liverpool manager has been a sought-after name in Amsterdam for quite some time. In the past, when Marc Overmars was still responsible for technical policy, there was already talk of interest.
"Slot was already on Overmars' list back then, but Feyenoord beat him to it. In that respect, it doesn't sound strange to me that he would be a candidate. And certainly not if he leaves Liverpool," adds Driessen.
Although Slot earns a substantial salary at Liverpool, Driessen believes that the financial aspect of a potential transfer does not necessarily have to be a dealbreaker for Ajax.
He points out that the manager was already among the highest earners during his time at Feyenoord. "Of course, he will have to take a pay cut, but he was already earning a fortune at Feyenoord.
"He was the best-paid manager in the Netherlands at that time. If you have a very good manager, he pays for himself. Players also become more valuable."
Driessen sees in Slot a manager who leaves a huge impression wherever he works, which also immediately poses a challenge for his successors. At Feyenoord, Robin van Persie and Dennis te Kloese are currently struggling with the high standard set by Slot.
"The standard is Arne Slot; as Feyenoord, you cannot meet that. That is also very difficult, because he is, of course, a top manager. You saw that in his first year at Liverpool. But I do think he will become available on the market," concludes the analyst.
Slot is currently under huge pressure at Liverpool, and a crisis meeting is scheduled for Tuesday to determine the Dutchman's future. While he may not be immediately sacked, there is a good chance that he will lose his job if the Reds miss out on Champions League qualification.
Xabi Alonso, who was the Anfield club's first choice in 2024, is seemingly waiting in the wings to replace the former Feyenoord boss.
Football transfer news headlines today
Transfer Rumours: Man Utd target Lewis-Skelly as €60m Arsenal agreement made
Exclusive: Tottenham told to get back to 'real football' by club legend
Chelsea target €75m striker to replace Liam Delap
Arsenal prepare opening bid for Viktor Gyokeres replacement
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
