Arne Slot: A Rising Star in European Football
A quick glance at the Eredivisie league table may surprise those who do not frequently follow Dutch football – Feyenoord are currently sitting at the top, ahead of usual contenders Ajax and PSV, and are on course for their second league title in 20 years. At the heart of this success is a young and talented manager, Arne Slot.
Only in his fourth season as a senior head coach, the 44-year-old has quickly established himself as one of the most promising coaches in European football. After youth and first team coaching roles at PEC Zwolle and Cambuur, he became AZ Alkmaar’s assistant coach in 2017, eventually filling the top job in 2019. Slot managed to turn AZ Alkmaar around, finishing second place during his first season in charge after almost winning the league, which was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Feyenoord quickly saw potential in Slot’s abilities and appointed him in 2020 to replace Dick Advocaat.
In his first season, Slot guided Feyenoord to a third-place finish and has now taken them to the pinnacle of Dutch football in only his second league campaign at the club. Kevin Lux, Transfermarkt’s content manager in the Netherlands, notes that “Arne Slot embodies the new generation of Dutch managers… he knows how to give his teams a tactical advantage and players he works with show incredible improvement.”
Slot’s success in the Eredivisie is clear for all to see. He is not only improving Feyenoord’s standing in their own right but has also helped the club overtake larger domestic rivals like PSV and Ajax. Feyenoord’s stats this season demonstrate the improvements Slot has made to their fitness, with the club dropping fewer points from winning positions than any other. This improved fitness at Feyenoord also means that the team is more focused late on in games, which has given them an edge over their rivals in this season’s title race.
Given his success in the Eredivisie, it is unsurprising that English football is paying attention. Slot is being pursued by three Premier League clubs – Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham, and Leeds United – with the prospect of a move away from Feyenoord looming. Voetbal Zone reporter Wilfred Genee reveals that “he does not want to run the risk that things can go very badly in the Champions League and that he will no longer be in the picture with the big clubs. He wants to go as soon as possible and be financially independent, which is easier at a big club.”
In conclusion, Arne Slot is a rising star in European football, and his talents and successes have attracted the attention of Premier League clubs. His ability to improve a club’s fitness and give his teams a tactical advantage has seen him lead Feyenoord to the top of the Eredivisie, and it’s no surprise that English football clubs are keen to hire him. Slot has proved that he has what it takes to make the transition to one of the best leagues in the World, and it will be exciting to see where his talents take him next.
