Feyenoord winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh believes Arne Slot’s desire to win the Eredivisie title was a major factor in the coach’s decision to turn down Premier League strugglers Leeds United, speaking to Voetbal International.
Three years ago, Slot’s AZ Alkmaar side were denied the chance to write their names into the history of Dutch football; the Eredivisie season terminated ahead of schedule due to the COVID pandemic, just weeks after AZ beat title rivals Ajax 2-0 away from home to go joint-top of the table.
Slot, then, has unfinished business in Holland’s top flight.
Feyenoord are two points clear, and dreaming of only their second league title in the 21st century. And the chance to exercise the ghosts of 2019/20 was one of the main reasons why Slot, after much deliberation, opted against accepting a £3.5 million-a-year contract at Elland Road (De Telegraaf).
Arne Slot chooses Feyenoord over Leeds United
“You better go if you have really left something behind at a club. A legacy,” says former Brighton forward Jahanbakhsh, who describes Slot as the ‘best coach in the world’.
“You never know for sure if the opportunity will come again. That makes it hard to say no. But if you have confidence in your qualities and you dare to be patient, there will always be another chance.”
“Personally, I think Arne Slot wants to win a trophy with Feyenoord. Not everyone is driven by money. Feyenoord is a big club, but how often was there a championship to celebrate? Twice in the last 25 years, right?
“I can imagine that the coach wants to become a champion. We can also win the cup and we are still in the Europa League. So much to play for.”
According to The Sunday Mirror (12 February, back page) some at De Kuip fear that Leeds will come calling for Slot again in the summer, with Michael Skubala a candidate to remain in temporary charge until the end of the current campaign.
By June, Slot may have fulfilled his dream of an Eredivisie title, before setting his sights on a new challenge elsewhere.
“After (Erik) Ten Hag, I now have a very good trainer again,” Feyenoord’s former Ajax striker Danilo tells Voetbal International, highlighting Slot’s remarkable attention to detail. “What I really like is that he gives me a lot of one-on-one feedback. I really get along with Arne Slot.
“Slot is constantly working with me. It’s always about what needs to be improved, everything in detail. A step to the left or right can make the difference. Then he says; ‘Why aren’t you standing there or there, at that moment?’
“Details, details. Slot misses nothing.”
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