Erik ten Hag issues blunt response to Arne Slot question amid new Liverpool manager verdict

Despite it not being made official yet, Liverpool looks likely to appoint Feyenoord coach Arne Slot as the club's new boss with Jürgen Klopp entering the final stretch of his nine-year spell in charge of the Reds. The announcement could well come at the end of the season, when both the Premier League and Eredivisie have been wrapped up.

Slot would become Liverpool's first-ever Dutch coach, and the 45-year-old would join fellow Netherlands compatriot Erik ten Hag in the Premier League. Ten Hag is in his second season at Man United, and the former Ajax boss complimented Slot on landing the Liverpool job, even if the announcement is lacking for now.

Slot guided Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title in his second season in Rotterdam, adding the KNVB Cup to his collection this campaign, while Feyenoord set to finish second in the league behind PSV this time around.

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In an interview with Viaplay NL, Ten Hag was asked about Slot joining him in England's top flight for next season, and Ten Hag was full of praise.

"It's fantastic for him," Ten Hag said of Slot. "It's confirmation and recognition of his qualities. It's fantastic for Dutch football too."

When asked if he had sent any congratulatory messages to Slot, Ten Hag simply replied: "No."

Ten Hag has endured a difficult time as United boss. The club was knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage this season, despite being in a relatively easy group containing Bayern Munich, Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen.

United won't be back in the Champions League next season and the best it can hope for is a place in the Europa League, with Ten Hag's men six points behind Spurs with four games remaining. Just as Slot seems to be arriving in England, Ten Hag's own future has been put up for debate. However, in a recent interview with Gary Neville, Ten Hag seemed confident of remaining at the club next season.

Slot and Ten Hag have squared off several times in their home country, with Slot getting the better when he was coach of AZ Alkmaar. Ten Hag however got the upper hand when Slot moved to Feyenoord, with Ajax doing the double over its rival in the 2021/22 season — Ten Hag's last before leaving for the Premier League.

Liverpool.com says: Slot will have seen the difficult times Ten Hag has endured since arriving in England, and will hope not to emulate him. Still, it was a nice gesture for the former Ajax coach to congratulate him, even if the job isn't officially Slot's as of writing.