Edwards & Hughes discovered ‘blindingly impressive’ fact about Arne Slot; fans will love it

Anyone familiar with the way in which Liverpool conduct their business in the transfer market will be more than aware of how central a role data plays.

The Reds have Michael Edwards and Ian Graham to thank for that reality following FSG’s takeover.

Since that point, however, processes have been significantly refined and evolved, leading the club to finding the ideal replacement for Jurgen Klopp.

“[William] Spearman, a Chicago-born Harvard-educated physicist who spent five years as Liverpool’s lead data scientist before succeeding Graham as the club’s director of research in January last year, has been working on an algorithm that evaluates coaching performance on a wide range of metrics – not just team performance but playing style, individual player development, compatibility with different types of players etc – to predict future outcomes and suitability for certain jobs,” James Pearce and Oliver Kay reported for The Athletic.

“Slot’s scores, reflecting his performance during three seasons in charge of Feyenoord, are said to have been blindingly impressive: “Top of the top”. Hughes and Edwards had already discussed Slot, among others, as a strong contender. But they had not expected the data to bring such a resounding endorsement of his candidacy.”

Arne Slot is set to officially begin work at Liverpool Football Club on June 1.