Ryan Babel believes Arne Slot deserves his chance as Liverpool boss but warned his former club about a lack of patience.
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Dutchman set to replace Klopp at AnfieldBabel joined Liverpool from AjaxSlot highly regarded in HollandGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Feyenoord boss Slot is all set to replace Jurgen Klopp, with the German legend departing Anfield at the end of the season after over seven years service. Slot is highly regarded in the managerial world after guiding Feyenoord to the 2022-23 Eredivisie title but Babel is aware patience will still be required.
AdvertisementTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Babel knows a thing or two about swapping the Eredivisie for the Premier League, having joined Liverpool from Ajax in 2007. It’s a move that can often turn pear-shaped and Erik ten Hag’s recent struggles as Manchester United manager should serve as a warning to Slot as he soon prepares to travel to Merseyside.
Getty ImagesWHAT BABEL SAID
Babel told The Athletic: “A Dutch manager will naturally want to play football, especially if they have been in the top three in Holland. But different rules apply in the Premier League.
“Erik ten Hag had done a very good job at Ajax, the players he had there could really execute his vision and that made him look good as a coach. And now he’s at Man United, a big team as well. He wanted to apply his vision but, for some reason, it doesn’t really come and now people question whether he is a really good manager or not.
“So it’s a fine line to see if a new coach has the squad in place to immediately realise their vision. New coaches always naturally have time, the question is how much time does Slot get? Liverpool have been spoilt with the Jurgen Klopp philosophy and era. I think anything less, then frustration will kick in very, very quickly."
DID YOU KNOW?
Slot is considered one of the greatest managers in Feyenoord’s rich history, combining positive results with an aesthetically-pleasing style of play. A two-time Eredivise Manager of the Year, his side sit second in the table this season behind only a dominant PSV Eindhoven side, boasting a record of only two defeats from 31 games.