Florian Wirtz‘s father has given a detailed insight into his son’s first impressions of Liverpool and working with Arne Slot.
He has also spoken of how Slot convinced him to spurn Bayern Munich, his long-time admirers and a dream progression for German stars, in favour of moving to England.
Liverpool are preparing to unleash their £116million superstar on the Premier League this season after signing him from Bayer Leverkusen in a British record deal.
Reds fans are chomping at the bit to see him in action and learn where he fits into Slot’s plans after he was left out of their first friendly, a 3-1 win over Preston.
Hans-Joachim Wirtz was left to tell Bayern’s chiefs that his son wanted to go to Merseyside, but painted a glowing picture of the attacking midfielder’s impressions of Liverpool.
‘Arne Slot has impressed Florian on the pitch,’ Hans Wirtz told Der Spiegel, via BILD. ‘He’s also a very pleasant person.
Florian Wirtz is ‘impressed’ by Arne Slot and is excited by the game in England, says his father
Hans Wirtz says his son was hooked by the playing philosophy presented to him by Slot
Slot, described as a ‘very pleasant person,’ was ‘decisive’ in convincing Wirtz to snub Bayern
‘Florian’s best coaches have always been those who gave him plenty of freedom,’ he added – perhaps an insight into how he will be deployed. ‘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.
‘The situation with Bayern was difficult because Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge made incredible efforts and also clearly analyzed the sporting possibilities. I have the greatest respect for Uli Hoeness and his lifetime achievements,’ he told Der Spiegel.
‘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.’
If things go well, Wirtz is the sort of player that Liverpool can build their next era around.
Aged 22, he has the world at his feet but is already very accomplished – a German double winner, 31-time Germany international, and a spellbinding presence on the pitch.
His influence from attacking midfield led to 16 goals and 15 assists last season and Liverpool will certainly hope he can add his flair to their output.
Telling Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge of his rejection was difficult as they had expended so much energy wooing him
Wirtz was hot property in the Bundesliga and Liverpool picked him up in a £116million deal
Last season he provided 16 goals and 15 assists; the season before he was a double winner
At the moment, it is unclear where Slot will want to play Wirtz, or indeed where he will need him.
Attacking midfield looks the most natural position, but he could be deployed as a false nine, on the left wing, or even further back in a number eight role if needed.
His mum and dad, Hans and Karin, are heavily involved in his career and also met Manchester City officials in May when it was still unclear where he was headed.