Blackburn Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has been lined up as a potential replacement for Arne Slot at Feyenoord if Premier League outfit Leeds United lure the Dutchman away from De Kuip, Voetbal International say.
After a post-Christmas dip in form, Blackburn have left no one in any doubt about their ‘bouncebackability’.
Rovers went into Tuesday’s FA Cup fifth round clash at Leicester City on the back of nine games without defeat, and three wins in a row. Make that four. That 2-1 triumph at the King Power was no ‘smash and grab’ raid. Even Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers, huffing his way through a painful post-match interview, admitted that Blackburn more than deserved their spot in the quarter-finals.
46-year-old Tomasson, enjoying his first ever coaching role in English football, is building up quite the reputation in the dugout. The former AC Milan striker guided Malmo to successive Allsvenskan titles in 2020 and 2021. His Blackburn side are now fourth in the Championship. Not to mention looking forward to an FA Cup last-eight clash for the first time in eight years.
Could Jon Dahl Tomasson replace Leeds target Arne Slot at Feyenoord
Tomasson had two spells at Feyenoord before hanging up his boots. And the Dane’s burgeoning reputation as a head coach is not going unnoticed at his old stomping ground.
“I have heard that Tomasson is definitely on the list as one of the replacements for Arne Slot,” says reporter Martijn Krabbendam
“He was successful at Malmo. He made them champions, and he knows Feyenoord. He’s super professional and mentally strong.”
Slot, regardless of whether Feyenoord maintain their place at the top of the Eredivisie table, is likely to attract plenty of interest in the summer; one of Europe’s most underrated young tacticians finally getting the attention he deserves.
Slot turned down Leeds United recently with an Eredivisie title within his grasp at Feyenoord. But, according to The Mirror (12 February, page 72), the Yorkshire giants could return for the former AZ Alkmaar boss in a matter of months with Javi Gracia only at Elland Road on a short-term basis.
“I’m very afraid that Arne Slot is in his last year (at Feyenoord),” admits former Eredivisie ace Hans Kraay Jr. “I am afraid he’s going to give in after two fantastic years, and be carried out on the red carpet.
“I think he will soon have the clubs to choose from,” argues two-time league champion Aad de Mos (Soccernews). “He is competing on three fronts. (Slot) can still become a national champion, he can win the KNVB Cup, he can win the Europa League. So it is very wise that he doesn’t (leave).”
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