Arne Slot, the new head coach of Liverpool, faces the challenge of ensuring that the team remains competitive in both domestic and European competitions. While it took his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp, some time to adjust to the demands of European football, Slot is fortunate to inherit a stronger squad. To assess Slot’s performance in European competition so far, we can examine his previous managerial stints.
In the 2019/20 season, Slot guided AZ Alkmaar through three rounds of qualifying to reach the Europa League group stage. Despite a 4-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford, Alkmaar managed to secure a goalless draw in the return leg. They had two draws against Partizan Belgrade but dominated Astana with an impressive 11-0 aggregate score. However, their journey ended in the round of 32 as they were defeated by LASK.
The following season, Slot’s Alkmaar team faced challenges due to the absence of passionate home support during the COVID-19 pandemic. They were eliminated in the Champions League qualifiers by Dynamo Kyiv and failed to progress from the Europa League group stage, despite defeating Napoli in their final match.
Slot’s breakthrough came in the 2021/22 season when he led Feyenoord to the Europa Conference League final. Although they were narrowly defeated 1-0 by Jose Mourinho’s Roma, Feyenoord showcased their strength by eliminating Union Berlin, Slavia Prague, and Marseille on their way to the final. Notably, they played a total of 18 matches in the competition while still managing to finish third in the Eredivisie.
In the 2022/23 season, Feyenoord reached the Europa League quarter-finals but were once again thwarted by Roma. After a shaky group stage performance, Feyenoord secured their progress with a 1-0 win over Lazio. They displayed their dominance in the second leg against Shakhtar Donetsk, winning 7-1. Despite the disappointment of another defeat to Roma, Feyenoord celebrated their first league title in six years.
As champions of the Netherlands, Feyenoord entered the Champions League group stage in the 2023/24 season. They managed to secure six points from their first two home games against Celtic and Lazio but suffered four defeats overall, including a crucial 2-1 loss to Celtic in the final game. This result relegated them to the Europa League play-off round, where they faced Roma once again, but were defeated. Fortunately for Liverpool, Roma will not be competing in the next season’s Champions League.
Overall, Slot has managed 57 European matches, winning 25, drawing 18, and losing 14. His teams have averaged 1.63 points per game. His notable achievement was guiding Feyenoord to the Europa Conference League final in the 2021/22 season, where they finished as runners-up.
Slot’s experience in European competition provides valuable insights into his ability to navigate the challenges of managing Liverpool in continental tournaments. While he has achieved success, particularly in progressing deep into European competitions, his teams have faced tough opponents like Roma under Mourinho. Slot’s familiarity with European football and his track record suggests that he will prioritize Liverpool’s competitiveness on both domestic and European fronts.