Arne Slot contract, salary at Liverpool: How much have Reds paid Feyenoord in compensation for new manager?

Arne Slot will take on simultaneously one of the most attractive and daunting tasks in European football when he replaces Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, officially from July 1 this year.

Slot has won plenty of admirers for his high-intensity, attacking style that brought silverware to Feyenoord, including the 2022/23 Eredivisie title.

Following Klopp could be a different matter entirely, however. The German won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, FA Cup and Carabao Cup during his time at Anfield, along with ending Liverpool's 30-year wait for their 19th English top-flight title.

Although this is an era dominated by gargantuan transfer fees and wages for superstar players, the best coaches also don't come cheap.

We can announce Arne Slot has agreed a deal to become the club’s new head coach, formally taking up the position on June 1, 2024, subject to a work permit 🙌

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 20, 2024

Here, we have a look at how much prising Slot from Feyenoord has cost Liverpool, how much he might earn in wages and how this compares to other elite coaches in football.

MORE: Arne slot style of play and tactics: What can Liverpool fans expect?

Arne Slot contract details, salary and compensation

Slot was announced as Liverpool's next permanent manager on May 20, 2024. He signed a three-year contract with the Reds.

The 45-year-old was contracted to Feyenoord until 2026 under an improved three-year deal he agreed in 2023, amid interest from Tottenham. 

Multiple reports at the time suggested Feyenoord improved his annual salary from €2 million to €2.9 million ($3.1/£2.5m). That contract is believed to have featured a release clause, but it has been reported that would not have come into effect until the summer of 2025, and so Liverpool have had to negotiate a fee with the Dutch club.

Reports of the exact figure have varied, but on April 26, The Guardian reported that a verbal agreement between Liverpool and Feyenoord would see the recently crowned KNVB Cup winners receive €9m in compensation, along with a potential €2m in add-ons. The Athletic also reported that the fee would come to a total of €11m.

Highest-paid football managers

The precise terms of Slot's Anfield deal are yet to emerge, but what seems certain is that he is in line for a huge pay rise.

Parity with Klopp's earnings feels unlikely give the latter's accomplishments and the pair's relative standing in the game upon taking the Liverpool job.

Klopp entered into a significant rebuilding job on Merseyside as a two-time Bundesliga winner, his Borussia Dortmund having repeatedly gone toe-to-toe with the mighty Bayern Munich.

According to a report by The Sun after Steven Gerrard penned a lucrative new deal to remain in charge of Saudi Pro League club Al Ettifaq in January, Klopp took home €18.7m annually, making him the third-best paid coach in world football, behind Diego Simeone and Pep Guardiola.

Such figures look out of reach to Slot, with a salary in the region of the €10.5m his compatriot Erik ten Hag is said to be paid by Manchester United probably more realistic.

Here is the list of highest-paid managers, per The Sun

MORE: Who will be the next Bayern Munich manager?