Slot Eyes Long Tenure Inspired by Liverpool and FSG Tradition

Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot reacts during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on May 19, 2025. (AFP)
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot reacts during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on May 19, 2025. (AFP)
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Slot Eyes Long Tenure Inspired by Liverpool and FSG Tradition

Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot reacts during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on May 19, 2025. (AFP)
Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot reacts during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Liverpool at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on May 19, 2025. (AFP)

Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who has won the Premier League in his debut season, can see himself staying with the English side for a long spell, saying the club and the owners both have a history of keeping faith in their managers for a long time.

Slot's predecessor Juergen Klopp stayed at Liverpool for over eight years, winning the Premier League, the Champions League and the Club World Cup during his tenure.

Dutchman Slot, who said he was Liverpool's only choice to succeed Klopp, joined on a three-year contract.

"I could see myself working here for a long time because it's a great club to work for and I'm really happy over here. This club has a history of having managers for a long time," Slot told reporters on Friday.

The manager cited Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, who led Manchester United and Arsenal for over two decades, as examples of English soccer's tradition of long-serving managers.

Slot also talked about the Boston Red Sox, a baseball team that belongs to Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group, where Alex Cora remained as the manager despite finishing bottom of the American League East division twice in a row.

"Not only this club, but also with regards (to the) ownership, because I'm now watching a documentary about the Boston Red Sox," Slot said. Cora "is still there.

"It is a combination of the history of the club and how the ownership works. So, if there is ever a club where you can work for multiple years, it will probably be Liverpool."

Slot said he was convinced to leave Dutch side Feyenoord, where he served as manager for nearly three years, after realizing that he was the only person Liverpool wanted for the job.

"I told my agent that if I am one of three, I am not interested. I didn't want to go into another summer where I had to do all these kinds of meetings and then waiting, waiting, waiting," he added.

"I didn't have to open my laptop one time to show (Liverpool) what I did or how I worked. They knew everything about me.

"There was never one second of a doubt and that had largely to do with the fact why they wanted me and how they tried to convince me to come."



Barcelona Signs Goalkeeper Joan Garcia from Crosstown Rival Espanyol

Espanyol's Spanish goalkeeper #01 Joan Garcia catches the ball during the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat, on May 15, 2025. (AFP)
Espanyol's Spanish goalkeeper #01 Joan Garcia catches the ball during the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat, on May 15, 2025. (AFP)
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Barcelona Signs Goalkeeper Joan Garcia from Crosstown Rival Espanyol

Espanyol's Spanish goalkeeper #01 Joan Garcia catches the ball during the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat, on May 15, 2025. (AFP)
Espanyol's Spanish goalkeeper #01 Joan Garcia catches the ball during the Spanish league football match between RCD Espanyol and FC Barcelona at the RCDE Stadium in Cornella de Llobregat, on May 15, 2025. (AFP)

Barcelona is signing Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García, who was once linked to a move to Arsenal, to a six-year contract, the Spanish champion said Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Garcia recently finished a stellar first season in La Liga when he led all goalkeepers in saves with an average of almost four a game.

He will now join Espanyol’s main rival on a contract until June 2031.

Barcelona said it activated a release clause of 25 million euros ($28.5 million) and that Garcia is expected to sign the contract Friday in a “private ceremony” at the club's offices.

The fee could help Espanyol reinforce a squad after it only avoided relegation on the final day of the season.

Garcia had been close to a possible move to Arsenal last summer after he helped Spain win Olympic gold in Paris. He stayed put and was one of Espanyol’s best players.

Garcia has yet to debut for Spain’s senior side, but it's considered only a matter of time before he does if he continues to play well. He helped Spain win the Olympic gold medal in Paris last year.

“The time has come to part ways. Today I say goodbye to the club that has been my home since I was 15,” he said on social media. “I’ve given everything to help the team, to represent this badge with the utmost dedication, and to live up to what it means to wear this shirt."

Garcia said he would understand the backlash from Espanyol fans for him joining its rival.

“I know this decision won’t be easy for everyone to understand,” he said. “I’m not asking you to do so. But I do want you to know that it was a carefully considered decision, considering not only my career, but also what’s best for the club, my family, and me.”

Garcia's arrival to Barcelona puts in question the role of veteran Marc-André ter Stegen, who was injured most of the season. Ter Stegen is under contract through 2028.

Following Ter Stegen’s injury, Barcelona convinced Wojciech Szczęsny to come out of retirement and sign a contract for the remainder of last season. Barcelona’s other goalkeeper is Inaki Pena.

While several Barcelona players have joined Espanyol later in their careers, it is rare for an Espanyol player to move to Barcelona. Their derbies are heated affairs.

Barcelona won the Spanish league this year.