Arne Slot appears to be emerging as a frontrunner to become Tottenham Hotspur’s new manager but the Feyenoord boss will only leave for the Premier League if he feels a ‘more beautiful’ challenge awaits him away from De Kuip.
Whatever happens this summer, Arne Slot will forever have a place in the hearts of everyone connected with Feyenoord.
Saturday’s typically commanding 3-0 victory over Go Ahead Eagles secured the Rotterdammers’ first Eredivisie title since 2017. Only their second of the 21st century.
Sky Sports say that some at Feyenoord fear Slot will not be sticking around to defend his crown in 2023/24. But if the King is to leave the building, he’ll only do so for a throne even more bejewelled and ‘beautiful’.
“If I am going (in order) to experience something even more beautiful than this,” Slot tells AD and Voetbal Primeur. “It must be very beautiful.”
Will Feyenoord’s Arne Slot be Tottenham Hotspur’s new manager?
Feyenoord, the Daily Mail say, are taking steps to retain the former AZ Alkmaar coach. 44-year-old Slot – who’s possession-heavy style is reminiscent of Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag – could receive a new and improved deal worth around £2.5 million-a-year.
“I like that people here are satisfied and want to offer me an improved contract,” Slot adds. “Because boards of directors often aren’t (willing to do that).
“I definitely have to speak to the board (about my future). But you will get the same answer from me as your colleague,” Slot adds, refusing to give anything away about which direction he’s leaning.
The Hardenberg-born tactician left his job at AZ under a cloud, sacked in December 2021 after holding talks with Eredivisie rivals Feyenoord. And Slot is certainly aware that – should he leave another club in contentious circumstances – that will leave quite the stain on his reputation.
No wonder he’s opting for the coy approach, then.
“The way in which my departure from AZ has been portrayed by the media,” Slot explains. “Ensures that everything I say about it puts me under a huge magnifying glass.
“The media coverage at the time was completely contrary to what I was allowed to do. So I say nothing until I can and may say something.”
Another Tottenham target, Vincent Kompany, recently signed a new deal at Burnley. Talks with Julian Nagelsmann broke down, and Xabi Alonso is staying at Bayer Leverkusen.
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