Leeds United ready ‘huge gamble’ on Arne Slot in summer, caretaker boss to take charge until then
Leeds United are ready to take a “huge gamble” and look to hire Arne Slot in the summer with a caretaker taking charge until then, according to the Sunday Mirror.
The newspaper reported on Sunday (12 February, back page and page 79) that Feyenoord have so far blocked Leeds’ attempts to hire Slot, 44, with the Rotterdam club currently competing for the Dutch Eredivisie title.
However, it is understood that Feyenoord would be powerless to resist Slot leaving for Leeds at the end of the season due to a clause in his contract that allows him to leave for a Premier League in the summer.
Due to this clause, there’s a “growing concern” at Feyenoord that Leeds will hire a caretaker manager for the rest of this season before making a move to bring in Slot for the 2023/24 campaign onwards.
The Sunday Mirror reports that it’s a “massive risk” for Leeds, who could find themselves in the Premier League’s relegation zone at the end of the current game week.
Too risky
Leeds cannot do this, surely?
There’s just too much at risk and if a caretaker or interim manager is hired until the end of the season and they keep us up, wouldn’t they deserve the job?
Slot is a good manager, there’s no denying that.
He worked wonders at AZ Alkmaar before moving to Feyenoord, who he led to the Europa Conference League final last season and currently has them in a fight for the Dutch title.
Feyenoord are second in the Dutch top flight as it stands, with Slot’s AZ leading the way.
However, the Rotterdam club has a game in hand, which will be played on Sunday afternoon away at eighth-placed Heerenveen.
Slot wouldn’t leave Feyenoord now for a Premier League relegation battle.
He could also have the chance to manage in the Champions League next season if he does win the league and stays put at De Kuip.
Leeds cannot mess around by appointing an interim manager. Our pursuit of Slot is doomed if we do because if we go down, there’s no way he comes and if we stay up, why not stick with the interim boss?
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