Arne Slot’s impending move to take over as Liverpool head coach is set to throw up a major dilemma for a member of his coaching staff.
A compensation package has been agreed between the Reds and Feyenoord for Slot to take over from Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season – and much of the Dutchman’s backroom staff are expected to join him on Merseyside.
Feyenoord’s coaching team has been highly regarded throughout Slot’s tenure, and he is reported to be seeking to bring some key individuals with him.
Assistant Sipke Hulshoff is expected to come on board and head of performance Ruben Peeters is also a target.
However, Dutch journalist Maarten Wijffels has raised concerns over the potential impact of Hulshoff’s move to Liverpool on the Netherlands’ preparations for the European Championship this summer.
SLOT’S ASSISTANT IS PART OF THE NETHERLANDS’ SET-UP
Hulshoff also currently serves as an assistant to Ronald Koeman in the Netherlands set-up. According to the Express, Liverpool want Hulshoff to start his contract on 1 July.
His impending move to Anfield, therefore, could pose a significant problem for the national team ahead of Euro 2024 this summer.
Speaking on ESPN’s Voetbalpraat, Wijffels explained (via Voetbal Primeur): “He is the field coach [for the national team].
“In June, he would be expected to spend two and a half weeks working on the team’s way of playing for the European Championship.
“Not much has happened so far in this regard because of all the injuries.”
HULSHOFF ‘WOULD HAVE NO OPTION’
However, despite his importance to Koeman’s staff, Wijffels conceded: “If he had to choose, he would have no choice but to go with Slot to Liverpool.”
The situation echoes that of Kees van Wonderen in 2019, who departed from his role as assistant to Ronald Koeman with the Netherlands national team to become head coach at Go Ahead Eagles.
Likewise, Van Wonderen’s departure occurred just before a major tournament—in that case, the delayed Euro 2020—mirroring the timing of Hulshoff’s potential exit.
With Liverpool expecting Slot and his staff to begin work early in the summer to prepare for the post-Klopp era, the dilemma surrounding Hulshoff’s role highlights the complexities of trying to balance international and club football allegiances.
As the European Championship draws nearer, the Netherlands will be hoping for a resolution that allows them to maintain their preparations without disruption, while Liverpool will want to get the Slot era off to the smoothest possible start.
