Why I rejected Netherlands job – Slot
August 12, 2026 8:06 am
Ex-Liverpool coach, Arne Slot
Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Former Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has revealed why he decided against taking the vacant Netherlands manager’s job, insisting that he wants to remain in club football.
Slot held talks with the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) about replacing Ronald Koeman but chose not to continue with the process.
The 47-year-old dismissed reports that he withdrew because of disagreements over salary or the length of a potential contract.
As reported by BBC Sport, Slot was quoted as saying, “Over the past few weeks, and particularly the past few days, various reports have appeared regarding the vacancy at the Dutch national team, suggesting that I had withdrawn from the process after lengthy negotiations, including regarding salary and contract duration,” Slot said.
“That speculation is incorrect. We simply never reached that stage of the talks.”
Slot explained that his preference at this stage of his career is to work with a club team on a daily basis.
“At this stage of my career, I prefer to see myself on the training pitch with my players every day. Something that is simply not possible in the same way with a national team,” he said.
“And (this is) why I chose not to continue the talks and not to start negotiations on what a possible contract might look like.”
The former Feyenoord coach stressed that his decision was not a reflection of his feelings towards the Netherlands national team or the KNVB.
“I have enormous respect for the national team and for the KNVB and can only be positive about the professional manner in which the talks proceeded that week,” he said.
“For now, I believe that club football still has a lot to offer me.”
Slot, who led Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title in 2023, has not completely ruled out managing his country in the future.
“It would be a great honour to represent my country as national coach one day. However, this was not the right moment for me,” he added.
With Slot now out of the running, reports in the Netherlands suggest former Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has emerged as a candidate for the vacant position.
Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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