Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Next Tottenham manager: Arne Slot breaks silence with major admission as bargain exit clause delights Levy

Next Tottenham manager sees Arne Slot emerge as a target

Daniel Levy is reportedly closing on the appointment of Arne Slot as the next Tottenham manager after the Feyenoord coach dropped a significant hint on his future and details of a low-cost clause in his deal emerged.

The north London giants know their next appointment is huge after what has proved a hugely-disappointing season. With just two games left, Spurs can only finish sixth at best but even that looks a stretch for them. As a result, a seventh-placed finish will mean they drop back into the UEFA Conference League next season.

With the hunt well and truly on for Antonio Conte’s successor, Feyenoord coach Slot is now the overwhelming favourite.

The Dutchman has emerged as the leading candidate after a number of other high-profile options, including Julian Nagelsmann, all dropped out of the running.

And while the likes of Xabi Alonso have distanced themselves from the vacancy, Slot has openly hinted at a move to the Premier League.

Asked about the Tottenham job, Slot initially tried to play down the speculation for the newly-crowned Eredivisive champions.

“Now is not the moment to talk about it,” he told Sky Sports.

“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?’

READ MORETottenham ‘hold talks’ with first potential Arne Slot signing; could block Liverpool Cody Gakpo repeat

Slot opens door to Tottenham move

“That was a challenge over there, that is why I am privileged to say we are a champions of Holland.”

Asked about his next job, Slot appeared admitted his interest in moving to the Premier League.

“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.”

Reports in the Netherlands now claims there is a growing fear at Feyenoord that Slot will depart for Tottenham.

They can offer him a salary far beyond what the Rotterdam club, making the move even more likely. And while they want to double his salary to €4m a year (£3.5m), he could still earn far in excess of that at Tottenham.

Furthermore, reports claim Tottenham can buy him out of his contract for around £6m. That is said to be significantly less than what Levy was initially expecting to have to pay.

And the Dutchman certainly looks the cheaper option compared to the compensation likely required for other alternatives like Thomas Frank and Roberto De Zerbi.

Ryan Mason reveals Spurs priorities amid Slot rumours

Interim boss Ryan Mason, meanwhile, insists he is paying no attention to growing speculation that Slot is ready to take charge at Tottenham.

The 31-year-old has made clear his wishes to take the job on a permanent basis after doing well during his two caretaker spells in charge.

However, he now looks certain to be overlooked with Levy looking for a more established name.

Whatever the future holds, Mason insists his only focus is on Tottenham’s game this Saturday lunchtime against Brentford.

Mason said: “I’m really not thinking about next season. If my attention goes to six or seven weeks’ time, I’d be very stupid to take my eye off the ball now.

“I’m aware of the situation now. I know me and my team are doing the best we can, we’re doing good. Whatever happens in the summer or next season, there is definitely decisions to be made. But at this moment in time we don’t know what they’ll be.

“I believe in the way I work, me and my team. I’ve more belief now than I’ve ever had in my life that what we’re doing, for this football club, the environment, the feeling we’re trying to create here.

“I believe in it so much. That’s probably where it (my positivity) is coming from.”

READ MORETottenham transfer mistake forecast with Levy urged to avoid low-cost signing and spend big