Former FC Twente boss Marino Pucic has revealed that he received an offer from Arne Slot to join them liverpool In 2023.
Pusic, who is now managing Al-Jazeera in the United Arab Emirates, revealed that Slott had contacted him after his first season at Shakhtar Donetsk.
But despite the prestige of a move to Liverpool and the chance to be reunited with Slot, Pusic walked away from the opportunity.
"Arne asked if I wanted to join him at Liverpool. I considered it a great honour, but it didn't feel right to leave." Pusic told Voetbal International.
Why did Pusic say no to Liverpool?
Marino Pusic's decision wasn't about football. Instead, it was his loyalty to Shakhtar, a club operating under the unimaginable stress of war, that made him feel the times had become impossible.
During his two years at the club, he guided Shakhtar through a period he describes as emotionally overwhelming and uniquely demanding.
He said, "No club in the world has performed as well as Shakhtar during the war: one national title, two national cups and thirteen points in two Champions League campaigns."
Players and staff were regularly faced with news of loved ones killed in the conflict. Puzik said that in those moments, coaching became something deeper than strategy.
"You're talking about life and death together. That's how you build a close relationship."
Love of slots for Dutch coaches
Arne Slot's approach to reuniting with Marino Pusic is not at all surprising. The pair worked together successfully at Feyenoord before Slott transferred to Liverpool in 2024.
Slott then hired Jonny Heitinga as his assistant, then replaced him with Giovanni Van Bronckhorst when Jonny Heitinga left for Ajax the previous year.
He also wanted to take Etienne Rejan with him to Anfield. But the Feyenoord assistant could not get a work permit, which ultimately led to Heitinga's arrival.
Sander Westerveld also asked Slott to contact Puzik again When it came to replacing Heitinga last year.
Now Puzik has admitted that the offer was there at one time. However, he could not turn his back on Shekhar at that time.
What does this mean for liverpool
Marino Pusic's revelations have added a fascinating footnote to Arne Slot's early recruitment plans at Liverpool.
He was clearly someone Slott had great confidence in, enough to move him into one of the biggest jobs in world football. Had he accepted, Liverpool's backroom team would look very different today.
In fact, last season could have been very different. Many credited his replacement Heitinga for playing a key role in their title success last season.
Instead, Pusic decided to remain loyal to Shakhtar, a decision he apparently does not regret.
