Arne Slot nears Liverpool announcement after ‘behind-the-scenes’ problem resolved

Sipke Hulshoff, Arne Slot’s assistant manager, has resigned from the Netherlands in advance of his anticipated transfer to Liverpool.

Coach Arne Slot of Feyenoord, assistant Sipke Hulshoff during the Dutch Eredivisie match between NEC and Feyenoord in De Goffert

After Sipke Hulshoff resigned from his position with the Netherlands, it appears that Arne Slot is getting closer to being formally named as Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool.

Hulshoff splits his time between the Dutch club and the national team, where he doubles as Ronald Koeman’s deputy, in addition to his current role as Slot’s assistant at Feyenood.

The Mirror revealed on Monday that complicated negotiations with Slot wanting his fellow Dutchman to join him at Anfield, coupled with Hulshoff’s international commitments ahead of Euro 2024, had delayed Liverpool’s decision to finalize the appointment of their new manager.

The KNVB verified that Hulshoff resigned from his position with the Netherlands prior to this summer’s European Championships, so it appears that these problems have been resolved. He will be replaced in Koeman’s backroom staff by Dwight Lodeweges, as the Dutch continue their Euro 2024 preparations.

Dwight Lodeweges will join the Dutch national team’s technical staff immediately, the team confirmed in an official statement. Sipke Hulshoff, who has notified the KNVB that he will step down as assistant national coach, is replaced by the 66-year-old Lodeweges, who has a commitment that extends to and includes the European Championship. Lodeweges is familiar with every detail of the Dutch squad.

“Koeman served as his assistant when he was initially named national coach in March 2018. Up to EURO 2020/21, Lodeweges, who was born in Canada, was a member of the technical staff.

“With Lodeweges’ arrival, the coaching staff for UEFA EURO 2024 is now composed of Patrick Lodewijks, Khalid Benlahsen, Erwin Koeman, Dwight Lodeweges, and Michael Reiziger, the assistant national coach,” the statement reads.