Arne Slot wanted Leeds United job as £6m Elland Road offer emerges

Feyenoord manager Arne Slot wanted to move to Leeds United after Jesse Marsch’s sacking, according to Dutch football expert, Marcel van der Kraan.

Slot was heavily linked with the vacant Elland Road hot seat and a recent report from The Athletic (14 May) claimed he will be on a number of club’s lists during the off-season.

Talking on talkSPORT, van der Kraan, who writes for De Telegraaf, has claimed he spoke to the 44-year-old when the links to Leeds emerged.

“For Arne, the Premier League has always been a major attraction,” said van Der Kraan (talkSPORT, 18 May).

“He told me, in February when Leeds United came for him, he said ‘look I can do something there’. He thought he could keep them up, with a different playing style and he wanted to go but Feyenoord said no. Leeds offered five or six million and the club said no.

“He has a clause, which allows him to leave next year.”

Interesting

This is certainly an interesting development. In regard to Leeds’ approach for Slot, it appeared the Dutchman was against moving to Elland Road. Feyenoord are now league champions and it was understandable to see why he wanted to stay put in his home country.

If Leeds can secure their Premier League survival, they should certainly look at making a fresh approach. His attacking brand of football has caught the eye and would be welcomed at Elland Road. Leeds are known for being an expansive team and the players could suit Slot’s style of play.

However, as we all know, a lot needs to be done if the club want to be playing Premier League football come the start of the 2023/24 season. This weekend’s clash against West Ham is now a must-win ahead of what could be a huge final-day fixture against Tottenham at Elland Road.

Allardyce has made improvements since his arrival and it’s now essential that at least four points are added to Leeds’ tally before the season’s out.