Feyenoord coach Arne Slot is in the frame to become Crystal Palace ’s next manager - but the Dutchman could have other Premier League options.
Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman has made contact with Slot’s advisers about taking him to Selhurst Park in the summer. But Tottenham have also been impressed with Slot’s work at Feyenoord - and West Ham will consider the 44-year-old if they decide to end David Moyes’ reign in the summer.
Palace, however, are currently leading the chase. The South London club turned back to 75-year-old Roy Hodgson to save their Premier League skins after sacking Patrick Vieira.
And Slot, who is a disciple of the Johan Cruyff school of coaching that also produced Pep Guardiola, has become a hot property during his two seasons with Feyenoord after starting his managerial career with AZ Alkmaar. He has built an impressive team that is on course to land Feyenoord’s first Eredivisie title for six years.
He has also guided the Rotterdam club to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, where they beat Jose Mourinho ’s Roma 1-0 in a thrilling first-leg tie on Thursday night.
Feyenoord were beaten Europa Conference finalists last term - and that prompted Leeds to enquire about Slot’s availability when they sacked Jesse Marcsh earlier this season.
The struggling Yorkshire club offered a £5million compensation package, but that wasn’t enough to tempt Feyenoord. Slot is under contract until 2025 but has a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave for a Premier League club in 2024.
Feyenoord will demand money to allow him to leave this summer. But chief executive Dennis te Kloese will fight to keep a coach who has worked wonders on a shoestring budget.
Wim Kieft, the former Dutch international who is now a media pundit, is a huge fan - but reckons Slot would be a perfect fit for Tottenham. Kieft said: “Slot’s style of football is amazing.
“Jose Mourinho can only work at clubs where they have massive budgets and where the owner is prepared to get him all the stars his manager wants. Slot has created miracles with no money at all. He can really create an attractive and organised team.
“A club like Tottenham would really suit him. He could bring back the entertainment and creative side in the Tottenham team, as all the creative players have been sidelined by Antonio Conte and Mourinho.”
