Tottenham face a hugely-difficult task in appointing a new manager after Arne Slot explained with total honesty why he decided to reject the vacancy this week.
The north London giants can arguably boast to having the best stadium in the world game. However, Daniel Levy’s dreams of having a team – and a manager to grace it – are rapidly fading after a hugely-difficult campaign.
Having sat in the top four just two months ago, a woeful run of form has seen Tottenham slip down the table. And they could finish the season as low as ninth if results go against them on Sunday’s final day.
Planning for their new manager has been in the works even before Conte’s exit in March. Indeed, with his deal due to expire this summer anyway, there was a growing anticipation at Tottenham that the Italian would walk away. Ultimately, his very public admonishment of the club resulted in his premature removal anyway.
The process was first started by the club’s now-departed sporting director Fabio Paratici. However, the two early frontunners for the job in Julian Nagelsmann and Vincent Kompany quickly ruled themselves out the running.
Since then, Luis Enrique has interviewed for the job without success, with Roberto De Zerbi and Xabi Alonso commiting themselves to their current employers.
It did appear, though, that option No 5 in Feyenoord boss Arne Slot could be persuaded to jump ship.
Indeed, per reports Levy was close to agreeing compensation for Slot, worth in the region of €20m.
However, the title-winning coach opted to sensationally reject the approach, staying instead at Feyenoord.Arne Slot details brutal reasons why he rejected Tottenham job
Now Slot has explained in more details as to why he rejected the chance to become Tottenham’s new manager.
And the chance to compete in the Champions League with Feyenoord next season appears to have proved the decisive factor.
By contrast, Spurs are unlikely to be able to offer any form of European competition. And with further doubts over Harry Kane’s future at the club, it could get worse before it gets better for Tottenham.Reflecting on his decision to stay loyal to the Eredivisive champions, Slot has now spoken with honesty.
And as quoted by NOS, Slot will likely now sign a new deal at Feyenoord to stay until 2026.
“The decisive factor was playing the Champions League,” the 44-year-old said. “The fantastic work with the staff and the players, the fact that I’m having a great time privately and being able to build on the past two seasons.
“I didn’t know what would happen [with Tottenham]. I weighed everything up, including whether the people who work with me would want to come with meYou can think of it, but I don’t think it’s chic to say! But my intention is to stay, because that already raises an expectation.”
While Slot hasn’t said it directly, it is evidentally clear that the lack of Champions League football makes Tottenham a hard sell for any candidate.
The painful reality now means that Levy may have to settle for a candidate way down his initial wanted list.However, both Luciano Spalletti and Ange Postecoglou are now coming into the reckoning, per the latest reports.
