Tottenham Hotspur can expect to see a style of football similar to that of Pep Guardiola if Feyenoord boss Arne Slot replaces Antonio Conte at the Premier League outfit.
That is according to Wim Kieft; the former Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Netherlands ace putting his old allegiances to one side while admiring the job Slot has done since taking over at De Kuip.
Feyenoord are closing in on their first Eredivisie title since 2017, and their second of the 21st Century. Slot’s side are eight points clear, with just four games remaining. But it’s not merely the results – outstanding though they may be – that makes Slot one of Europe’s most exciting young tacticians.
Feyenoord have swatted aside almost all before them this term while playing an enticing brand of possession-based, freewheeling football. The likes of which Tottenham supporters have spent the last few seasons pining for; neither Conte nor Jose Mourinho nor Nuno Espirito Santo building upon the foundations Mauricio Pochettino laid down in North London.
Can Tottenham hire their own Pep Guardiola in Arne Slot?
“What Guardiola does at Manchester City, Arne Slot does at Feyenoord but on a different level,” Kieft tells De Telegraaf. “(Slot’s) vision and his philosophy is the same. Slot has to work with players of lower quality.”
Feyenoord have scored 105 goals in all competitions this season, their biggest win a 7-1 thrashing of Shakhtar Donetsk in the Europa League. Only Ajax and FC Twente average more possession per game in the Eredivisie. Slot’s proactive approach is likely to be well received by a Spurs fanbase hoping that the pragmatic style preferred by their most recent coaches follows Antonio Conte and Cristian Stellini out the door.
Tottenham famously missed out on Erik ten Hag back in 2021; the former Ajax boss now making a huge impact at Manchester United. According to ESPN, a fear that history could repeat itself have seen Slot emerge as a ‘serious contender’ to become Spurs’ new head coach.
“Feyenoord would like to keep him. I believe they are discussing his contract,” reporter Valentijn Driessen explains.
“(Slot earns) two million euros. (His wages) will go to five million net if he goes to Spurs. Then the choice is easy, isn’t it?”
“Feyenoord can ask what they want, because there is no release clause in the contract.”
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