Spurs change plan after Slot snub
Dutch coach opts to extend his contract with Feyenoord Postecoglou and Enrique in frame as Levy mulls options
Daniel Levy will turn to alternative candidates after Dutch coach Arne Slot ruled himself out of the Tottenham Hotspur job.
The chairman was dealt a blow when Slot revealed he would stay at Feyenoord next season to defend the Dutch league title. His decision could bring Ange Postecoglou and
Luis Enrique into the frame as Levy assesses his next move. Slot had been considered after his excellent season at Feyenoord, where he won a first title for his club in six years.
He held talks this week, but insisted it was over a contract extension rather than a move to the Premier League. “I have been hearing a lot of rumours going around about other clubs’ interest in me,” Slot 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.”
It has been 60 days since Antonio Conte left Spurs and the remainder of their season has been overseen by Cristian Stellini until his dismissal, then Ryan Mason. They can qualify for the third-tier Europa
Conference League if they win at Leeds United on Sunday and Aston Villa drop points.
Talks with Julian Nagelsmann hit a stumbling block due to uncertainty over the sporting director role. Slot has now ruled himself out, with the twists and turns having the hallmarks of the search for Jose Mourinho’s successor in 2021, when candidates fell away before Nuno Espirito Santo was appointed.
Levy is looking for a director of football following the departure of Fabio Paratici. The Italian had Enrique, the former Barcelona and Spain coach, on his list of recommendations and the 53-yearold was also considered at Chelsea before they moved for Mauricio Pochettino. Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi was also liked by Paratici, but would be a very expensive appointment.
Graham Potter, sacked by Chelsea, was wanted by Levy during his time at Brighton. Postecoglou has admirers in the Premier League after winning the Scottish title in his two seasons at Celtic. His fellow Australian Scott Munns has been appointed chief operating officer at Spurs recently. Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim, 38, is another manager who has attracted interest.