Arne Slot is one of the top contenders for the vacant Tottenham manager role; the Dutchman won the Eredivisie title for Feyenoord this season, their second league triumph this century; the Dutch club are concerned that Slot will jump ship to north London
Saturday 20 May 2023 07:09, UK
Feyenoord are increasingly concerned they are going to lose manager Arne Slot to Tottenham.
The Dutchman is among the top contenders for the job and Feyenoord are increasingly resigned to losing him to Spurs.
Feyenoord are still trying to get Slot to stay having just captured the Eredivisie title - and are willing to double his wages to around £3.5m (€4m) per year.
Reports also in De Telegraaf in Holland recently claimed that a release clause exists in his contract, but it does not come into effect until next year.
However, that may form the basis for negotiation should Spurs wish to progress with a move for the Dutchman.
There have been reports in England that Slot has become the outright frontrunner - but Sky Sports News has been warned that might not yet be the case.
Spurs are also interested in Celtic boss Ange Postecoglu, Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi and Fulham boss Marco Silva, while Brentford's Thomas Frank has admirers at the club too.
Nevertheless, Slot, who has done a remarkable job winning Feyenoord's second title this century, has seen his chances of a move to the Premier League increase significantly over the past few weeks.
The Dutch manager turned down the chance to become Leeds manager earlier in the season, after Jesse Marsch was sacked.
Asked in a press conference on Friday about Tottenham's interest, Slot remained coy about the potential move - but did stress his next job after Feyenoord will be away from Holland.
"Now is not the moment to talk about it," he said after fielding the first of several questions from Sky Sports News' Gary Cotterill.
"We are here for the game on Sunday. You can ask us some questions on how we are experiencing being the champions, it's quite normal, but all the others are not for this moment.
"Every coach has both [a strive for challenge and ambition]. I like to go for a challenge, that is what I proved when I went from AZ to Feyenoord. Everybody two years ago said to me: 'How on earth can you go from a club with such a good structure to a tough period over there?'
"That was a challenge over there, that is why I am privileged to say we are a champions of Holland.
"The next step will not be another club in Holland, if that is the next step and if I fail completely in the upcoming few years.
"The normal next step would be to go abroad and I've always said the best league in the world is the Premier League but when it comes to Italy you can see there are a few clubs playing in European finals now. There are more countries where it is interesting to go to in the future, but the Premier League is the biggest league in the world, that is clear."
Sky Sports News has already reported Julian Nagelsmann will not be the next Tottenham head coach. Sources have told SSN that Spurs did not meet him and no meeting is scheduled to take place.
Nagelsmann is respected by senior figures at the club but he is not one for them at this moment in time.
Spurs and Chelsea both showed initial interest in the former Bayern Munich boss.
May 20: Brentford (H) - Premier League, kick-off 12.30pm
May 28: Leeds (A) - Premier League, kick off 4.30pm
