talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook has suggested that Arne Slot may have used Tottenham Hotpur’s interest in him to be able to negotiate an improved contract at Feyenoord.
It has widely been reported that one of Daniel Levy‘s priorities this summer is to appoint a manager who plays front-foot, high-intensity football and one who can also nurture young players, with Slot said to tick both boxes (Evening Standard).
Football Insider revealed on Monday that there was willingness from the 44-year-old’s camp, as well as from Tottenham, to get a deal done quickly.
However, things took a turn this morning when Slot confirmed that he wishes to stay at Feyenoord.
Slot said, as quoted by the BBC: “I have been hearing a lot of rumours going around about other interest in me,”
“Although I am thankful, my wish is to stay at Feyenoord and continue working on what we created last year.
“There is not – and there has not been – transfer conversation and yesterday’s meeting was exclusively for an extension. All talks with the club have always been only in that sense. Looking forward to next season with Feyenoord.”
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In reaction to the announcement, Crook told talkSPORT: “From the outside looking in, it looks like Arne Slot has used this interest from Tottenham to be able to negotiate a new contract at Feyenoord.
“Where this leaves Spurs is anybody’s guess.”
Slot is now set to sign a new deal with the Dutch champions with talks having taken place over improved terms yesterday (Fabrizio Romano).
Crook had previously claimed that a deal was expected to advance this week and remarked that he has heard only good things about the kind of football that Slot’s teams play.
The journalist told talkSPORT Breakfast (22/05/23): “It feels like it could be a big week for Tottenham, in terms of their managerial search.
“It’s nearly two months since Antonio Conte was sacked and it looks like Tottenham are finally honing in on a successor.
“The word coming out of Holland is that Arne Slot, the Feyenoord manager, who has just led them to the Dutch title, is very interested in the Tottenham job.
“It’s a bit complicated because he has a release clause in his contract. That doesn’t kick in until next season, so it will need negotiation between Tottenham and Feyenoord. The fee that has been touted is around £6 million.
“Looks like he and Luis Enrique are two of the front runners – Arne Slot looks like he might be the man to replace Antonio Conte.
“I think what Tottenham like about Arne Slot is the style of play. I have heard Dutch football experts on this station, he is very much in the Pep Guardiola mould, so that should get Tottenham fans excited, so I think Arne Slot ticks a lot of boxes.”
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While there has understandably been plenty of focus on the style of football that Slot’s teams play and this news certainly leaves them with egg on their faces having passed up on both Julian Nagelsmann and Mauricio Pochettino.
The Tottenham board would be keen to appoint a head coach that unites everyone at the club, the Dutchman has been a popular figure with the players he managed at AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord. Instead, they are now back to the drawing board.
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