Former Liverpool manager Arne Slot has become the primary candidate to succeed Ronald Koeman as head coach of the Netherlands national team after Koeman resigned in late June 2026.
The Dutch squad was eliminated in the round of 16 by Morocco at the World Cup.
Slot became available after leaving Liverpool in late May 2026, where his team finished fifth in the Premier League with 60 points.
According to reports from Soccernews. nl and Meemetoranje.
nl, several prominent Dutch football figures have endorsed Slot for the role despite potential financial complications.
Analysts Back Slot for National Team Role
Television presenter and football analyst Hélène Hendriks strongly favored Slot during a Sportnieuws. nl podcast, citing his comprehensive managerial capabilities.
"My first thought goes to Slot," she said.
Hendriks highlighted his media skills and strategic acumen. "He handles the press incredibly well and has a very strong analytical capacity.
Tactically, he is very strong," she explained.
She dismissed other domestic candidates like PSV Eindhoven coach Peter Bosz due to club commitments. "Peter Bosz is simply at PSV.
I would find it very strange if he suddenly left there," Hendriks said.
Hendriks also rejected hiring a high-profile foreign strategist, emphasizing sufficient domestic talent. "Pep Guardiola?
Yes, that is a top coach, but I think we have enough top coaches walking around in the Netherlands who can handle this job.
Then I would choose that sooner than a foreigner," she stated.
She commented on current Netherlands Under-21 coach Michael Reiziger, noting inconsistent performances. "I think Reiziger is also a candidate.
I cannot judge whether he is suitable, but at Jong Oranje it is not top," Hendriks said.
Former manager Aad de Mos also backed Slot, suggesting he would accept a salary reduction from his previous eight million euro annual contract at Liverpool.
"Training Oranje is the greatest honor. And Arne knows that too.
If I hear the national anthem, I would sing along in the dugout with tears in my eyes.
Arne should just do it, because after that he can work at even more clubs. The Dutch national team looks great on your resume," de Mos said.
Former international defender Ruud Krol expressed reservations about financial feasibility if a buyout from Liverpool is required. "I think Arne Slot would be a very good solution.
But he will still be paid by Liverpool and it seems to be too expensive for the KNVB to buy out that contract.
So I wonder if that is feasible," Krol said.
Journalist Valentijn Driessen noted Slot is highly motivated to accept the position if KNVB technical director Nigel de Jong formalizes an offer.
"Arne Slot will come to Zeist on his knees," Driessen said.
Mikos Gouka, author of the book Slot-bal, shared details about Slot's immediate outlook.
"I understand that he wants to do nothing this summer and not step into a club.
Although he always says that he likes club football better than country football, I have no signals that he would not want to do the Dutch national team.
In fact, I have understood that he would find it an honor to become national coach," Gouka said.
