Santiago Gimenez shares how Feyenoord players feel about Arne Slot’s Liverpool success

Arne Slot was appointed Liverpool manager last summer, taking on the seemingly impossible job of replacing a club legend in Jurgen Klopp.

Fast-forward to January, and it’s almost incredible to think that fans and pundits even doubted the Dutchman’s ability to take over at Anfield, with Slot leading Liverpool to six points clear of the Premier League table as well as to the top of the revamped UEFA Champions League standings.

Although Slot this weekend was seen arguing with Liverpool supporters over the treatment of Trent Alexander-Arnold against Manchester United, the majority of the fanbase will agree that the former Feyenoord manager has been the dream appointment for the Merseyside giants.

And one of Slot’s former players, Santiago Gimenez, has shared what Feyenoord players now think of their ex-manager’s success in England.

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Santiago Gimenez and Feyenoord teammates ‘not surprised’ by Slot’s Liverpool success

Speaking to ESPN, the Mexico international noted how he and fellow Feyenoord teammates are ‘not surprised’ by Slot’s historic start to life as Liverpool manager, with the Dutch coach looking likely to win silverware in his first season in charge.

Given the immense legacy Klopp left behind at Liverpool and how little transfer business Slot did in his first summer as manager of the Reds, the Dutchman’s success with the Premier League giants has come as a surprise to all involved in the English game.

Yet for a Feyenoord star like Gimenez who knows Slot better than anyone, the striker is not surprised in the slighted by his former manager’s first few months at Anfield, with Liverpool landing on a dream manager to replace Klopp.

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Gimenez said when asked about Slot’s success at Liverpool: “We are not surprised by what he is doing now with Liverpool. The football world didn’t know him that well, but we did. We knew what he was capable of and that he is a great coach, not just for Liverpool, but for any team.”

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Liverpool struck gold with appointing Slot last summer

With former goalkeeper Adrian praising the work Slot has done at Liverpool this season, the Reds could not have asked for a better manager to replace Klopp, with the former Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar coach blowing away all expectations.

With Manchester United still struggling to find the right replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson some 12 years after the legendary Premier League manager left Old Trafford, Liverpool will feel blessed with how lucky they got in replacing Klopp with Slot.

Indeed, Slot can build a new dynasty at Liverpool in the years to come, and fans will be excited to see what new parts to the squad the Dutchman decides to bring in to replace key figures like Trent Alexander-Arnold.

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