Florian Wirtz’s dad reveals how Arne Slot convinced son to join Liverpool over Bayern Munich

Arne Slot was the key behind convincing Florian Wirtz to join Liverpool over Bayern Munich this summer.

The details behind Wirtz’s British-record switch to the Premier League have now been revealed by his father.

The German star became the most expensive player in English football history in June following his £116million transfer.

Liverpool managed to fend off Bayern in a long battle, with the reigning Bundesliga champions left gutted after missing out.

And the Reds appear to have manager Slot to thank for that.

Wirtz‘s dad, Hans-Joachim, has said that it was the Dutchman who convinced his son to pick Anfield over the Allianz.

He told Der Spiegel via BILD: “Arne Slot has impressed Florian on the pitch. He’s also a very pleasant person. 

“Florian’s best coaches have always been those who gave him plenty of freedom.

“And those with the greatest empathy have also reached Florian.

“He finds the game in England interesting because it thrives on pace and dynamism.

“Arne Slot presented his playing philosophy, the team tactics in possession and pressing, and how Florian can develop his strengths in these areas.

“This made a decisive impression on Florian. The training conditions in Liverpool were also totally impressive.”

So it appears that Slot’s pitch to Wirtz managed to pry him away from Bayern’s grasp and join his side instead.

The Dutchman’s first year as Liverpool manager could not have gone much better as they won the Premier League title.

The Reds were the runaway winners in the top-flight and it’s the tactics that led to that success which drew Wirtz in.

His dad then added more detail into the tough decision to reject Bayern when his son departed Bayer Leverkusen.

“The situation with Bayern was difficult because Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge made incredible efforts and also clearly analysed the sporting possibilities,” he explained.

“I have the greatest respect for Uli Hoeness and his lifetime achievements.

“After Florian’s cruciate ligament tear in 2022, he selflessly helped us quickly get an appointment for the surgery in Innsbruck.

“We are still grateful to him for that. That’s why the final phone call with Uli Hoeness was very difficult for me.

“We had spoken several times beforehand, so he was as objective and fair as I’d ever known him.

“But of course, he couldn’t hide his disappointment. After all, he had personally worked hard to secure this transfer.”

Liverpool were the team to bring in the highly-rated star, who could now help the Reds go back-to-back in the Premier League.

Wirtz is yet to make his debut for his new club, but that may come against AC Milan as they begin their tour of Asia later this month.