Jurgen Klopp has already vetted incoming Liverpool manager Arne Slot by talking to his first boss in management.
Klopp, who will leave the Reds at the end of this season, is set to be succeeded by Feyenoord’s Slot in the summer. The German, 56, met Henk de Jong, in charge of Dutch second division side Cambuur, last week after the latter was invited for a tour of Liverpool’s facilities.
De Jong was the man who first appointed Slot as his assistant coach at Cambuur a decade ago, before Slot took the reins fully in 2016. And having watched Liverpool’s U21s team face Arsenal in a 2-1 defeat, De Jong talked to Klopp and his staff, giving the departing Anfield legend the lowdown on Slot.
READ MORE: 'England must consider luring Jurgen Klopp as next manager after Gareth Southgate'
READ MORE: Liverpool icon John Barnes gives verdict on former club's future under Arne Slot
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TNT SportDe Jong said as per the Mirror: "It was fantastic. A really special visit. Officially they had a couple of days off, but everyone just turned up. I saw Pep Lijnders too. The U21 coach, everyone. I watched the game against Arsenal and spoke to Jurrien Timber who played brilliantly in that game.
"They liked the fact that Arne Slot was my assistant at the start of his career. Sipke Hulshoff was also on my staff and he is coming with Arne as well. I told them all about it. Everyone at Liverpool is hoping that Arne is going to do really well. Pep Lijnders is not staying, but I sensed everyone at Liverpool is hoping Pep will come back to the club one day.
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"They all spoke very highly about him and I really think he has built a big reputation for himself. Jurgen is really warm and kind. He said to me: 'I've heard you are the only football manager in the world who is funnier than me! How come we have never met before?’”
De Jong ended his trip by meeting under pressure Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag, adding: "I made a little 'switch' to Manchester United and went to have dinner with Erik and enjoyed a fantastic football evening with him."
