Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers has described Liverpool manager Arne Slot as one of the most remarkable coaches he has worked with, praising the Dutchman’s understanding and empathy.
Dessers, who played under Slot at Feyenoord during the 2021/22 season, shared his admiration for the coach in an interview with vi.nl.
Recalling a memorable moment, the Nigerian forward highlighted how Slot handled his disappointment after being benched in a league game against Heerenveen.
“When I was at Feyenoord, there was a match Arne Slot started with Bryan Linssen instead of me against Heerenveen. I was so disappointed. I came on ten minutes before the end. It was freezing cold, the match was already over, nobody really wanted to go forward. I came on with a really poor attitude because I was so disappointed that I wasn’t allowed to start. After the match, Slot sat next to me on the bus,” Dessers revealed.
“I’ve had managers who got angry in such a situation, but he actually said in a very normal and calm way that he understood how I felt. He also explained why he had made his choice. I apologised, and he said again that he could imagine my emotions.”
Dessers admitted that the conversation left a lasting impact on him, reinforcing Slot’s qualities as both a manager and a person.
“I walked back to the back of that bus and felt like it was out of my system. I still think back to that one conversation sometimes. There, Arne proved to me that he is not only a good manager, but also a good person,” he added.
The Rangers striker also expressed the need for more empathy in football, criticizing the often harsh judgment from fans and the media.
“I sometimes miss that empathy in football with the media, with the fans too, who sometimes forget that a player is only human. The world of football is hard and sometimes unreasonable. So it’s worth its weight in gold if you have a manager who treats you normally, honestly and with understanding,” Dessers concluded.
Slot, who guided Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title in 2023, will take over at Liverpool next season following Jurgen Klopp’s departure.
