Eyebrows were raised about what it would mean for Liverpool when Arne Slott was announced as the new head coach rather than manager.
However, Slott played down that fact because it is a big difference and insisted that there is no “big change”.
In his first interview with LFC TV, the Dutchman explained that it was “normal” for him to be the head coach, “because that’s how it is in Europe and Holland”.
Slott comes from the Netherlands after spending his entire coaching career in his native country, with Zwolle, Cambuur, AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord.
He said: “I don’t think there’s a big change between head coach and manager, just that as a head coach I can fully deal with the things I would like to do.
“So work with the team, prepare the team as best as possible, and myself and Richard (Hughes, sporting director) will work together when it comes to transfers, but not just the two of us.
“There is a large backroom staff involved in this as well.
“I think that’s the way I’ve always worked and it’s the ideal way of working for me, because I can spend most of my time working with the team, and the time that’s left will probably be a little bit for the family and a little bit to talk with Richard about it how to strengthen the team.
“But we already have a really strong team.”
He is the first head coach to be appointed in Liverpool’s history, with all previous bosses having been appointed as managers.
Liverpool are restructuring this summer and Michael Edwards is back, although he will be employed by FSG as executive director of football rather than at the club itself.
Under him, Hughes arrived to take on the role of sporting director, having previously worked with Edwards when they met at Portsmouth when Hughes was a player.
Jonathan Northcroft of The Times wrote: “Liverpool believe the new structure is more suited to the complexities and demands of the modern game and will give the man in charge of their first team – the head coach – more support to do his job, not less.”
Perhaps the main concern fans had was that Slott could be undermined as he is not officially the manager, but that seems unlikely given that he is likely to act as manager in name only.
