That Liverpool was able to do business with Bayer Leverkusen to bring in Florian Wirtz for a record fee is thanks to manager Arne Slot. Hans-Joachim Wirtz, father and agent of the successful footballer, confirmed that Slot made the difference in the choice between Liverpool and Bayern Munich.
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German media were long convinced that Bayern Munich would secure the signing of Florian Wirtz, widely regarded as one of the brightest talents in German football.
The 21-year-old playmaker was top of the list for the Bundesliga champions, who saw him as the natural successor to Thomas Müller and a future cornerstone of the club’s midfield. For months, reports in Germany suggested that Bayern were not only leading the race for Wirtz but were also prepared to break their transfer record to get the deal over the line.
However, in a stunning twist, on June 20th Liverpool officially confirmed the capture of Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth approximately 140 million euros a record signing for both Liverpool and German football. The announcement sent shockwaves across Europe, as few believed the Premier League side could outmuscle Bayern for one of Germany’s most sought-after stars. Yet, according to Hans-Joachim Wirtz, Florian's father and agent, the decisive factor in the transfer was not money or club status, but rather a one-on-one meeting with Liverpool's new manager, Arne Slot.
Slot, who had just taken over from Jürgen Klopp, personally met with Florian Wirtz during the negotiation phase. That private conversation turned out to be crucial. In an interview with German magazine Der Spiegel, Hans-Joachim Wirtz detailed the impact Slot had on his son’s decision.
“Slot managed to convince Florian personally,” Wirtz senior said. “He’s not just an excellent coach, but also a very pleasant person to speak with. He took the time to present his playing philosophy, detailing how he wants Liverpool to play in possession, how the team presses, and how Florian can enhance his strengths within that system. For Florian, who is always eager to learn and develop, that meeting made a lasting impression.”
This approach by Slot evidently outweighed the allure of playing for Bayern Munich, a club with a rich domestic and European pedigree. The Wirtz family knew the weight of their decision, especially given the long-standing interest from Bayern and the personal efforts of key club figures. Wirtz’s father admitted that informing Bayern of their decision to reject them in favor of Liverpool was one of the toughest moments in the transfer process.
“It was difficult to call Uli Hoeness, the honorary president of Bayern, who is still deeply involved with the club,” Hans-Joachim Wirtz confessed. “He made an incredible effort to bring Florian to Bayern. On a personal level, we owe him a lot when Florian suffered his cruciate ligament injury, it was Hoeness who arranged a fast-track appointment with a specialist surgeon. We remain sincerely grateful for that.”
Despite the magnitude of the transfer and the excitement surrounding Wirtz's arrival on Merseyside, the German international is yet to make his unofficial debut for Liverpool. The attacking midfielder was left out of the squad for the first pre-season friendly, a cautious decision by the club to manage his workload after a demanding season with Leverkusen and his participation in the Euros with Germany.
Liverpool fans are eagerly awaiting Wirtz’s first minutes in a red shirt, particularly given the expectations attached to his record-breaking transfer. Many see him as a vital piece in Slot’s new-look Liverpool, a side aiming to refresh its tactical identity post-Klopp while remaining competitive domestically and in Europe.
Moreover, this transfer symbolizes a potential shift in power dynamics, where even top German talents are no longer destined to end up at Bayern by default. The Premier League’s appeal, combined with a manager like Slot capable of personally convincing players, may be reshaping the transfer landscape.
Wirtz, known for his exceptional vision, technical ability, and football IQ, is expected to slot into Liverpool’s midfield, potentially forming a dynamic partnership with players like Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. For now, though, Liverpool are taking no risks with their prized asset, ensuring he is physically and mentally ready before making his much-anticipated debut.
Updated: 11:13, 18 Jul 2025
