Arne Slot tried to make first Liverpool recruit but was rejected

The past week has seen a lot of information on Arne Slot emerge as is now the man set to succeed Jurgen Klopp as manager next season.

With Klopp's departure imminent, the focus has shifted to Slot's preparations and the changes he will bring to Anfield.

All that's left now is the official announcement of Slot's appointment, but it seems a formality at this stage.

Slot has already begun planning for his tenure and will need to assemble a new coaching team, as many of Klopp's key backroom staff will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.

Arne Slot's new coaching team

With the transition of leadership, Slot will need to build a strong support team, starting with familiar faces from his time at Feyenoord.

Reports indicate that his assistant manager at Feyenoord, Sipke Hulshoff, will join him at Liverpool this summer with Dominik King reporting that the Dutch manager will bring his staff with him.

Alongside Hulshoff, head of performance Ruben Peeters and analyst Etienne Reijnen are also expected to make the move to Anfield.

However, Slot had his eyes on another Feyenoord colleague to accompany him to Liverpool.

According to The Athletic, he was keen to bring Marino Pusic, who was part of his title-winning backroom staff at Feyenoord in 2023.

Unfortunately for Slot, Pusic declined the offer, as he recently took over as manager of Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine.

The importance of Pusic for Liverpool

Pusic's decision to stay at Shakhtar might be a setback for Slot, as the Bosnian coach played a significant role in Feyenoord's recent success.

Known for his tactical expertise and leadership, Pusic would have been a valuable addition to Slot's coaching staff at Liverpool.

His experience at various clubs, including his success at FC Twente, and his background in futsal provided him with a unique perspective that could have benefited Liverpool's new era.

Despite the disappointment of Pusic's refusal, Slot has other trusted aides joining him in Liverpool.

With his ability to build a strong coaching team, Slot can help Liverpool transition smoothly from Klopp's tenure while bringing fresh ideas and a new tactical approach.

Slot's appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for Liverpool.

Fans eagerly anticipate the changes and hope that Slot's unique approach will continue the success Klopp brought to Anfield.

While Pusic's absence is a minor hiccup, Liverpool's future under Slot remains bright, with a promising start to his coaching journey in the Premier League.