Arne Slot may have achieved all he can at Feyenoord with Tottenham Hotspur now hoping to lure the Eredivisie champion to the Premier League as Antonio Conte’s replacement.
That is according to Ibrahim Affelay; the former Dutch international wondering if Slot will follow in the footsteps of Erik ten Hag after guiding Feyenoord to only their second domestic title since the turn of the Century.
Sunday’s 3-0 win over Go Ahead Eagles at De Kuip saw Feyenoord move eight points clear of Ajax with two games remaining.
Previously one of the most underrated young tacticians in European football – Arne Slot turned AZ Alkmaar into title challengers before taking over in Rotterdam – Slot is finally getting the attention he deserves, The Telegraph reporting that the 44-year-old is one of the names on Spurs’ lengthy managerial hit-list.
Will Arne Slot become Tottenham’s next manager?
Feyenoord, of course, will be playing Champions League football next term. You can’t say the same of Spurs.
But Affelay believes that, even as Tottenham limp towards a potential Conference League spot, the lure of the Premier League should not be underestimated.
“If that club appears, you have to be a big boy to refuse. I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes,” the former PSV, Stoke City and Barcelona playmaker tells Studio Voetbal.
“Tottenham Hotspur are a great club. Different from Southampton or Aston Villa.”
Ten Hag guided Ajax to the latter stages of the Champions League before taking over at Old Trafford. Affelay, however, is not expecting Slot to emulate his compatriot’s success on the greatest European stage, insisting that Feyenoord are already performing well above their potential.
“Slot has reached the maximum at Feyenoord,” Affelay adds. “He has got more out of them than he has put in. Do you expect him to reach the final of the Champions League next year?”
According to De Telegraaf, Crystal Palace opened talks with Slot’s agent in April. West Ham and Leeds United remain admirers too.
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