Arne Slot explains talks with two of Liverpool's Premier League rivals before taking Reds job

Arne Slot has revealed that he turned down the chance to manage before agreeing to become boss - and that he also had secret talks about taking over at another mystery club.

Slot had admitted that he was giving serious consideration about taking up an offer to quit Feyenoord for Spurs before the North London club appointed Ange Postecoglou two years ago - only for his family to convince him not to go.

And the Dutchman has also confirmed that he was in discussions with another top club - believed to be - and that they progressed to the stage where he delivered an in-depth explanation about his tactical approach to the game.

In an interview with a group of journalists from the Netherlands, Slot said: “Not going to Spurs was 99 percent a family decision.

“I even told my kids they could easily visit me in London during the school holidays. My daughter said that during the school holidays she wanted to spend time with her friends.

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“I thought moving directly from Feyenoord to Spurs was a huge deal - because who goes from Feyenoord straight to Tottenham?

“At Spurs and another club - I won’t mention the name myself - I had to give a presentation, explain my tactical approach, and compete against other coaches.”

Slot decided to stay with Rotterdam giants Feyenoord. But when Liverpool contacted him about succeeding , the lure of Anfield was impossible to resist - and has now won the Premier League title in his first season in England.

Slot did, however, ask for assurances from the Reds that he was the only candidate that they had approached about taking the job.

He added: “When Liverpool came along last season, everything was completely different. Nothing surpasses Liverpool.

“I did tell my agent, Rafaella Pimenta, that I wanted to know whether I was the only candidate. If that hadn’t been the case, I don’t know if I would have gone through with it.

“Liverpool acted completely differently. Sporting director Richard Hughes came to visit me and I was surprised by how much he already knew about me.

“A few months earlier, (technical director) Julian Ward had called me. I knew him from the time when he was responsible for Liverpool’s loaned players.

“He told me he was doing a tour around Europe, visiting clubs. He asked if he could come and watch me. Later, I realised that his visit served a different purpose. It shows how meticulous Liverpool is in their approach.”

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk will lift the Premier League trophy after the final game of the season against on Sunday after the Reds turned the title race into a procession.

They are 11 points clear of second-placed despite taking just a point from the three games they have played since clinching the crown with a 5-1 hammering of Spurs.

Slot admitted that winning the title was not even on the agenda this season. He said: “It was never about the league title. I had to secure qualification for the - but that was already the case under Jurgen Klopp.”

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