Arne Slot issues statement after turning down first job since Liverpool sacking

Arne Slot has issued a statement confirming he withdrew from talks to take what would have been his first job since being sacked by Liverpool.

The Dutchman surprisingly departed Liverpool after the end of last season following an internal review.

The Reds failed to defend the Premier League title that they won under Slot in his first campaign in charge, finishing fifth and suffering an early exit from the Champions League at the round of 16 phase.

Slot's tactics in particular came into question, with Mohamed Salah criticising his methods in the weeks before he left Anfield as a free agent.

READ MORE: Arne Slot sends open letter to Liverpool fans in first message after sacking

The Dutchman has yet to return to management following his departure in May, but has now revealed he held talks with the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) over replacing Ronald Koeman as Netherlands boss.

Koeman quit his role after Netherlands were knocked out of the World Cup at the round of 32 stage on penalties by Morocco.

But after holding initial discussions over the position, Slot says he turned down the prospect of taking over from Koeman after deciding that he wants to remain in club football for the time being.

'I chose not to continue...' - Slot on Netherlands talks

In a statement issued to Dutch outlet Voetbal International, Slot addressed what he described as 'incorrect' media speculation that he withdrew from the process to become the new Netherlands head coach because of 'salary and contract negotiations'.

He also said the negotiations had not reached a 'lengthy' stage, but the fact that he was holding talks in the first place suggests he was the KNVB's number one target.

"At this stage in my career, I prefer to see myself on the training pitch with my players every day," he said. "Something that is simply not possible in the same way with a national team.

"And why I chose not to continue the talks and not to start negotiations on what a possible contract might look like.

"I have enormous respect for the national team and for the KNVB and can only be positive about the professional manner in which the talks proceeded that week. For now, I believe club football still has a lot to offer me.

"It would be a great honour to represent my country as national coach one day. However, this was not the right moment for me."

Slot will therefore not be following his Liverpool predecessor, Jurgen Klopp, into international management after his stint at Anfield.

Klopp has taken charge of the Germany national team following the departure of Julian Nagelsmann, joining fellow former Champions League winners Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil), Zinedine Zidane (France) and Thomas Tuchel (England) in international football.

Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, held talks over becoming the new Italy head coach before ultimately turning down the job.

Italy turned to their former midfielder and World Cup winner Andrea Pirlo, but decided not to proceed with his appointment over his ties to a Russian betting company. Former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini was appointed for a second time instead.