Rivals worried Tottenham could now snatch their manager for just £6m

Follow us on Google Discover

Arne Slot’s sudden rejection of Tottenham Hotspur is causing ‘panic’ elsewhere in the Premier League as Daniel Levy may now be tempted to turn his attention to Fulham boss Marco Silva instead. 

Has the Manager of the Season award ever been more hotly-contested than this?

The mere fact that Erik ten Hag and Gary O’Neill were nowhere to be seen among the six-strong list of nominees is testament to the remarkable work Thomas Frank, Roberto de Zerbi, Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola and Eddie Howe have done over the last nine months or so. 

Marco Silva, meanwhile, is more-than-deserving of his own well-earned spot on the shortlist. Reports linking Tottenham Hotspur with the one-time Everton, Watford and Sporting Lisbon boss come off the back of a remarkable return to the big-time for a Fulham side who have already secured a top-half finish for the first time since 2011/12. 

But with just over a year left on his current deal – and with a very affordable £6 million release clause in his contract – there are some concerns at Craven Cottage that a London neighbour or two could soon come knocking. 

Will Tottenham now turn to Fulham manager Marco Silva?

Tottenham found themselves returning to square one on Tuesday; Spurs’ number one target Arne Slot committing his future to Eredivisie champions Feyenoord. And, per TEAMtalk, there is now ‘panic’ at Fulham that Silva could replace Slot at the top of Tottenham’s hitlist, even if reports indicate that Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou remains ahead of him in Levy’s pecking order.

Fulham are reportedly working ‘feverishly’ to extend Silva’s deal.

“It has all come together for a really special moment. And I am very positive about Marco,” director of football Tony Khan told The Athletic recently. 

“He is very happy at Fulham, and all of us are very happy with him. We want that to continue, hopefully for a very long time.”

On a positive note, Silva no longer appears likely to end up at either Crystal Palace or West Ham. Palace – a team revived under Roy Hodgson – are leaning towards extending the 75-year-old’s short-term contract. 

David Moyes, meanwhile, could be rewarded for a potentially outstanding end to an otherwise difficult season; A UEFA Conference League final clash with Fiorentina looming.