Leeds United were willing to offer Arne Slot a £3.5 million contract in the Premier League before the Feyenoord boss opted to stay loyal to the Eredivisie title challengers, according to De Telegraaf’s Kick Off podcast.
Perhaps Simon Jordan said it best.
“I feel there is a situation where these (relegation-threatened) clubs are struggling to get a manager in the door,” the former Crystal Palace owner said on talkSPORT after Leeds failed in their pursuit of both Slot and Andoni Iraola; the club’s first-choice managerial targets resisting their advances.
“These are Premier League clubs looking at the trap door of the Championship.”
Arne Slot stays at Feyenoord despite Leeds United interest
For Slot to walk away from a Feyenoord side sitting two points clear at the top of the table – and chasing only their second Eredivisie title in the 21st century – it would have taken one hell of an offer.
But while Leeds can boast the sort of history, potential and support most clubs can only dream of, their negotiating position is undermined by their precarious league position. Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at home to arch rivals Manchester United leaves managerless Leeds 17th; four points separating themselves from bottom-place Southampton.
Leeds, De Telegraaf say, were willing to hand Slot a £3.5 million-a-year contract. Or £70,000-a-week, if you will. But much to the delight of one-time Ajax coach Frank de Boer – who famously endured a four-game stint in charge of Crystal Palace at the start of 2017/18 – Slot took a leaf out of Iraola’s book while committing his immediate future to a side with glory in their sights.
“It is true that I will stay with Feyenoord. I can say that,” Slot explains. “This is clear, the fans do not have to be afraid.”
What next for Leeds?
Due to a paucity of available options, The Guardian believes that Leeds could now make a short-term interim appointment until the summer, when their top targets may be more receptive to a change of scenery.
Talks with former Ajax coach Alfred Schreuder also broke down on Monday.
“I think so,” De Boer says when asked whether Slot is better off at Feyenoord than at Elland Road.
“(Taking over Leeds) is, of course, a challenge. But I can imagine that he is not ready yet. Maybe there is something very nice ahead. It is, of course, tempting.
“(But) I wouldn’t have done it (taken the Leeds job) either.”
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