Next Tottenham manager: Top source confirms deal for title winner is ‘advancing’, as Daniel Levy learns from Man Utd mistake

Tottenham appear to be closing in on appointing their next permanent manager and a deal will have its roots in a misstep involving Man Utd, per reports.

Spurs remain on the hunt for who will lead them into next season and beyond. Julian Nagelsmann came and went as an option without ever interviewing for the role. Interim boss Ryan Mason has declared he’s “ready” to take the reins outright, though a more established candidate is required.

The odds-on favourite at present is Arne Slot of Feyenoord who recently guided his side to the Eredivisie title.

The success was just Feyenoord’s second since the turn of the century. Making the feat all the more impressive is the fact Feyenoord were crowned champions of the Netherlands with two games to spare.

Slot has also proven himself in Europe when guiding Feyenoord to the Europa Conference League final last year. The Dutch side fell narrowly to Jose Mourinho’s Roma via a 1-0 scoreline.

Links between Tottenham and Slot have been gathering pace and a fresh update from Sky Sports has shed new light on the situation.

Feyenoord ready to throw in the towel?

Firstly, Sky Sports claim Feyenoord are ‘increasingly concerned’ they’re about to lose their manager to Spurs. Doubling down on that claim, it’s then stated they’re ‘increasingly resigned’ to their fate.

Feyenoord’s title win may embolden Slot to believe his journey at the club is now complete. A new challenge could await in north London despite the fact Feyenoord are prepared to double his wages to around £3.5m (€4m) per year.

Dutch outlet De Telegraaf recently reported Slot can be plucked from Feyenoord thanks to a release clause, though noted it doesn’t become active until 2024.

However, the presence of the clause and the fact it makes a future exit inevitable anyway ‘may form the basis for a negotiation’ this summer, per Sky Sports.

The report doesn’t go as far as other outlets have in claiming Slot to Spurs is a virtual done deal. As such, Celtic’s Ange Postecoglu, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, Fulham’s Marco Silva and Thomas Frank of Brentford are all under consideration in one form or another.

However, the reliable Gianluca Di Marzio tweeted a deal is “advancing” and “positive talks” have already taken place.

The signs are beginning to point towards Slot being the man for Spurs and the feeling coming from Rotterdam is a deal will be struck.

Should that scenario unfold, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will be learning from a recent mistake that saw him miss out on Erik ten Hag.

Daniel Levy remembers Ten Hag miss

Two of Tottenham’s last three permanent managers have been high profile and established candidates who should’ve come with a guarantee of success (Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte).

However, neither worked out at Spurs and ESPN recently reported Tottenham ‘don’t want to miss out’ on a ‘lesser well-known’ coach such as Slot. The outlet claimed Tottenham rejected the chance to appoint Ten Hag back in 2021 upon axing Jose Mourinho.

Ten Hag back in 2021 and Slot in 2023 share many parallels. Aside from both being Dutch, they favour a progressive brand of football, had guided their sides to Eredivisie titles, had never managed outside of the Netherlands and had punched above their weight in Europe.

Tottenham’s hesitance to take a gamble on Ten Hag two years ago ultimately worked in Man Utd’s favour.

Two years on they appear ready to right that wrong with Arne Slot.

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