Liverpool boss Arne Slot has reflected on the challenges of living away from his family during his first year at Anfield.
Slot, 46, has enjoyed an incredible debut season with the Reds after joining from Feyenoord last summer, leading the club to the Premier League title with four games to spare.
The Dutchman’s family – which includes wife Mirjam, son Joep and daughter Isa – have remained in the Netherlands in an attempt to ensure the children’s education was not disrupted.
Their family life has subsequently taken a hit with celebrations like birthdays and Christmas impacted by the demands of the Premier League, although Slot – who lives alone – has publicly acknowledged the impact Mirjam’s unwavering support and sacrifices have had on his success in England.
However, speaking to Dutch outlet AD, Slot opened up on the struggles of permanently being away from loved ones.
‘Anyone who is married and has a good marriage, I think I do, would like to see the children and the wife a bit more,’ he said.
Arne Slot has reflected on the challenges of living away from his wife Mirjam and family
Mirjam, daughter Isa (centre) and son Josep are back in the Netherlands, while Slot lives alone
Slot has enjoyed an incredible debut season, leading Liverpool to the Premier League title
‘My wife comes over for a couple of days every two weeks, the children unfortunately even less.’
Slot’s family were present as Liverpool secured the Premier League title against Tottenham last month, while they have been seen attending other matches.
And Slot, who revealed Isa will move in with him for three months while she studies English in Manchester, admitted his rising fame into a managerial superstar has had an impact on them too.
‘She (Mirjam) finds that attention the hardest part of our lives,’ he added. ‘She already had that at Feyenoord.
‘She also prefers to get take-out food instead of us sitting down together. She feels differently that she is being watched or judged.’
Slot enjoyed a solid if unspectacular playing career in the Netherlands before his profile has risen throughout his time as a manager after impressing at Cambuur, AZ Alkmaar and then Feyenoord.
The 46-year-old’s fame has gone to a completely new level amid his success at Liverpool and this has also impacted what he can do in public.
The Dutchman was spotted at Bruce Springsteen concert in Manchester earlier this week although he was accompanied by security.
Slot’s success in the dugout has seen him develop into a managerial superstar in recent times
The Reds boss was seen partying in Ibiza last week as he made the most of their title success
Slot’s family life also impacted upon his decision to reject Tottenham’s approach back in 2023
And when pressed on how his life has been impacted and whether Mirjam sometimes wishes things could go back to normal, Slot insisted he is still the same person he always was.
His celebrations of Liverpool’s Premier League title win have also seen him spend time in Ibiza where he was pictured on multiple occasions enjoying himself.
The Dutchman said that ‘people constantly standing in front of you with their phones at their ready’ does have an impact on how he acts, while he admitted he can no longer book a holiday like he could five years ago.
Meanwhile, Slot’s Liverpool journey may never have begun after he was targeted by Tottenham in 2023, before he rejected their overtures.
And again, the 46-year-old opened up on how the difficulties of family life impacted his choice not to move to North London.
‘The fact that I didn’t go to Spurs was 99 percent a family decision,’ Slot added. ‘I told my children that they could still come to London during the holidays. My daughter replied: “but during the holidays I also want to do something with friends”.
‘I already thought going to Spurs was a big deal, because who goes from Feyenoord straight to Tottenham.
‘But when Liverpool came last season, everything was completely different. No one gets higher than Liverpool.’
