Rafa Benitez tells Arne Slot an important aspect of succeeding in the Liverpool job

Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez advised head coach Arne Slot to understand the culture of the city and the club

Rafa Benitez advised new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot to understand the culture of the city and the club first. Benitez formed a strong relationship with the Liverpool fanbase during his tenure at Liverpool despite facing many ups and downs.

Slot is succeeding the legendary manager Jurgen Klopp after the nine-year stint from the German that resurrected the Reds again. Liverpool fans suffered from constant disappointment as their club came close to winning the Premier League multiple times before.

In the 2019-20 season, Klopp ended that cycle and a 30-year wait at the club by winning the Premier League. Despite the difference in financial power between Liverpool and its competitive rivals, Klopp managed to keep the team competitive.

Writing in his exclusive column for the Telegraph, Benitez advised Slot to be himself and understand the enrich Liverpool’s culture. He wrote:

“Liverpool have seen qualities in Arne that they like. My biggest advice to him or to any manager is he must be himself while understanding the culture of the club and the city he is coming to work. Once he understands that, he has made a positive first step and he will be guided down the right path.”

Liverpool CEO of football Michael Edwards and new sporting director Richard Hughes conducted a thorough assessment before finalizing Slot. The 44-year-old has achieved great success at Feyenoord, building several talented players and playing attractive attacking football.

Slot won the Eredivisie title with Feyenoord during the 2022-23 season and won the KNVB Cup in the 2023-24 season. He guided the Dutch club to the UEFA Europa Conference League final during his first season at the club.

More Liverpool news

• Liverpool are eyeing breakout eredivisie star as potential Salah replacement
• Liverpool could get Arne Slot an early present by signing 23-year-old midfielder
• Liverpool star explains why Jurgen Klopp has left the club in the “best possible position”

The 44-year-old has received numerous praises from his peers for being a great orator, emphasizing on communicating with utmost honesty. Slot shared a strong bond with the Feyenoord fanbase which he hopes he can create with the Kopites. Legendary Liverpool manager Klopp has already given his seal of approval for Slot which has eased a lot of tension about the future within the fanbase.