Arne Slot has emerged as serious candidate to become Jurgen Klopp’s successor as Liverpool intensify their search for a new manager.

The 45-year-old is one of the most progressive coaches in European football and on Sunday guided his side Feyenoord to victory in the KNVB Cup; it is the second trophy he has won in charge of the Rotterdam giants, having made them domestic champions 12 months ago.

Slot, who was considered by both Tottenham and Chelsea last summer, is an ambitious man and has always wanted to test himself on the biggest stage. His progress in the Netherlands, where his career in coaching began with AZ Alkmaar, has not gone unnoticed.

Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AC Milan will all be looking for new managers this summer and Slot will be in their thinking but he is at the forefront of Liverpool’s thoughts, too, and his name has now come to the fore.

Klopp announced on January 26 that he would be ending his nine season stay at Anfield in May and it was immediately assumed that Xabi Alonso, who has done such outstanding work with Bayer Leverkusen, would be line for an emotional return to Anfield.

Feyenoord boss Arne Slot is a serious contender to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool

But Alonso wanted to stay in Germany and that led to Ruben Amorim assuming bookmakers favouritism. The Portuguese, who has £12million release clause in his contract, spoke recently about not being able to give Sporting Lisbon any guarantees on his future.

Liverpool had given him firm consideration, as they have done with Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, but they are now prepared to move in a different direction from Amorim, who is a target for West Ham United, as Mail Sport reported on Monday.

There is no running commentary from Liverpool on what will be next for them but it is easy to see why they would be attracted to Slot, whose Feyenoord team plays on the front foot with a commitment to scoring goals and who is prepared to develop young players.

Slot, who was rewarded with a new contract by Feyenoord 12 months ago after making them champions having previously taken them to the Europa Conference Final in 2022, has a deal to keep him in Rotterdam to 2026.