Tottenham's No.1 manager target gives Spurs hope with "next step" comments

20 May 2023 , 05:30

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ROTTERDAM, 15-4-2023, Stadium de Kuip, the UEFA Europa League, Feyenoord - AS Roma, Feyenoord trainer Arne Slot during the UEFA Europa League, Quarter Final, first leg match between Feyenoord and AS Roma at De Kuip on April 13, 2023 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by ProShots/Icon Sport via Getty Images) (Image: ProShots/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Spurs target Arne Slot is keen to become Antonio Conte’s permanent successor.

The 44-year-old Dutchman, who led Feyenoord to the title last week, is understood to be relishing the challenge of managing in the Champions League but is willing to put that dream on hold to test himself in the Premier League on a weekly basis.

He would cost Spurs around £6million in compensation but is seen by Tottenham's top brass as a better fit than former Barcelona and Spain head coach Luis Enrique, and Sporting Lisbon’s widely-heralded young boss Ruben Amorim.

Speaking ahead of the newly crowned Eredivisie champions’ game this weekend against FC Emmen, Slot said: "I’m under a huge magnifying glass in everything I say about this subject.

"So I choose to say as little as possible again ... when it comes to new clubs there’s a huge scale in every word I use, so I try not to talk about it until I can say something about it.”

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He did however add: "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."

Edouard Mendy has lost his place as Chelsea goalkeeper this term

Spurs are also keen on Chelsea keeper Edouard Mendy as the long-term successor for Hugo Lloris who is set to quit the club in the summer after over a decade.

Mendy, 31, was outstanding as the Blues lifted the Champions League two years ago. But he has fallen out of favour, being replaced between the sticks this term by £70million rival Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Now the west London club are hunting yet another keeper this summer, with Mendy having also rejected a new, six-year contract at Stamford Bridge as he does not want to be a squad player. Mendy is keen now to move to a club where he will be guaranteed first team football.

Darren Lewis