Leeds United still want Arne Slot and Feyenoord fear that the Whites are hatching a plan to snatch him at the end of the season.
That’s according to The Sunday Mirror (12/02, back page), who claim that Feyenoord think Leeds could still take Slot away from De Kuip.
Leeds have targeted Slot in recent days after sacking Jesse Marsch, but the Dutchman told Voetbal International that he would be staying at Feyenoord.
Yet it’s now suggested that Feyenoord think Leeds will appoint a caretaker manager and then go for Slot in the summer.
Slot allegedly has a clause in his contract that means he can move to a Premier League club at the end of the season – and Leeds could move then.
That would still be a major risk for Leeds though, who certainly aren’t safe from relegation and need points right now.
Michael Skubala is currently in caretaker charge but appointing him until the end of the season in a battle for survival would be a major gamble; it all depends on how much Leeds really want Slot.
Who is Leeds United target Arne Slot?
Slot had a decent career in the Netherlands, turning out for PEC Zwolle, NAC Breda and Sparta Rotterdam with more than 450 league appearances to his name.
Slot started his coaching career in the youth setup at PEC Zwolle before heading to become an assistant coach at SC Cambuur.
The 44-year-old became part of John van den Brom’s coaching staff at AZ Alkmaar before eventually taking the top job in 2019.
Slot worked wonders, losing just 10 games in 58 before an acrimonious departure in December 2020.
AZ sacked Slot for not focusing on the job as he was already negotiating a move to Feyenoord, showing no mercy despite his impressive results.
Feyenoord aren’t complaining; they reached the Europa Conference League final under Slot last season and are now second in the Eredivisie and gunning for the title.
Slot’s teams play a superb brand of attacking football, racking up 45 goals in just 20 Eredivisie games this season.
You can understand why Leeds would want Slot, but whether they are really prepared to wait a number of months to get him remains to be seen.
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