Daniel Levy has received a blow as he looks to appoint his next Tottenham manager, with reported top target Arne Slot ruling himself out of the race.
The North London club have been without a permanent manager since Antonio Conte was sacked at the end of March after a bizarre period which saw him attack the players and the club in a fiery press conference following a 3-3 draw with Southampton. Cristian Stellini was brought in to replace Conte on an interim basis, having been his compatriot’s assistant, but he only lasted a few games, saying his goodbyes after a shocking 6-1 defeat to Newcastle at St. James’ Park.
Ryan Mason is now the main in charge until the end of the season, which fortunately for Tottenham fans is just a few days away, but the club have spent weeks looking to the future and candidates to become the next permanent boss. While Mason has thrown his hat into the ring, it seems likely that Tottenham will look elsewhere to a manager with more experience and quality.
Julian Nagelsmann was an early favourite but the Tottenham hierarchy seem to have distanced themselves from the former RB Leipzig and Bayern head-coach. Former boss Mauricio Pochettino was also heavily linked with a return, but according to reports he is the new Chelsea manager, pending the final signings of the deal and the announcement.
So attention turned to Slot, who had led Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title, 10 points clear of second-placed PSV with just one game left to play. Just the second club of his managerial career, after a stint with AZ, Slot has turned Feyenoord from a team in danger of slumping to mediocrity into champions of the Netherlands as well as Europa Conference League finalists last season, only losing 1-0 to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
Feyenoord’s fears and Tottenham’s excitement were peaked earlier this week with reports that Slot was set to have a meeting with the Dutch club’s board about his future. Many speculated that this would be to ask for a move to Tottenham, but in fact it was the opposite.
Slot has now come out to confirm that he intends to stay at Feyenoord, quashing all rumours of a move to Tottenham.
“I have been hearing a lot of rumours going around about other interest in me,” he said.
“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.”
Taking charge of 100 games for Feyenoord, Slot has overseen 65 wins across all competitions, with 20 defeats and 15 draws. On top of the Eredivisie title this season, Feyenoord also reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League, losing out to Roma in a repeat of the 2021/22 Europa Conference League final. They were also beaten by Ajax in the KNVB Cup semi-final, but the title alone is cause for celebration and a chance to get back into the Champions League.
For Tottenham, however, the search now goes on for another managerial candidate while also trying to qualify for the Europa Conference League themselves. Ahead of the final weekend of the season, when Tottenham travel to Leeds, Mason’s side know they have to better Aston Villa’s result to secure seventh place. A win coupled with Aston Villa dropping points would do the trick, but a draw might also be enough if Villa lose, providing Brentford don’t beat Manchester City.