English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, who were reportedly close to hiring Arne Slott, have not even been in contact with him.

“Tottenham have not been able to agree terms with Feyenoord over the appointment of Slott and have not developed their interest,” Sky Sports reported on Friday (Aug. 25).

“Tottenham have never spoken directly to Slott or Feyenoord and have always emphasized that we do not comment publicly on people at other clubs,” the source continued. “Slott’s statement this morning means the same thing. It is a fact that there was no direct contact between him and any other club.”

As Slott is under contract with 메이저놀이터 Feyenoord until 2024, Tottenham would have to pay a release clause in order to sign him. According to Sky Sports, there is a clause in Slott’s contract with Feyenoord that requires the club to pay £5 million to Feyenoord if he moves to another club.

However, Slott wanted to take some of his coaches, who were part of his squad, with him to Tottenham, which meant he had to pay twice as much, £10 million, as a penalty. According to Sky Sports, “‘Tottenham hierarchy have told the agent that they are walking away from any potential deal’. They are no longer interested in Slott,” Sky Sports explained.

There’s another reason why Spurs may not be interested in Slott. They claimed that Slott used them in his contract negotiations. “Levy has been told that ‘he feels Slott has used the attention directed at him at Feyenoord to get an improved contract’,” Sky Sports reported, adding that “it now looks like Slott will sign a new deal with Feyenoord.”

Tottenham sacked Antonio Conte in March, handing the reins to Ryan Mason on an interim basis, and began a search for his successor.

Former Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino, who led Tottenham during their heyday, was among the candidates, along with Julian Nagelsmann, former Bayern Munich manager, Luis Enrique, former Spain manager, Oliver Glasner, Eintracht Frankfurt manager, and Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen manager.

But Slott quickly rose to the top of the list. His leadership of Feyenoord to their first Dutch Eredivisie title in six years and his penchant for attacking soccer fit the bill of what chairman Daniel Levy was looking for. “Tottenham are close to appointing Slott,” wrote Alasdair Gold of Football London, adding that “Spurs have regrets about not being able to advance their interest in the Tottenham job to then-Ajax boss Tenhaar in 2021.” “Tottenham are looking for a progressive, new manager who can play modern football,” said the UK Independent. Some Dutch soccer insiders believe Slott is superior to Manchester United’s Erik ten Hagh, who led Ajax, in that regard. “He fulfills most of the requirements that Tottenham are looking for,” Slott said.

Then came the news that Slott’s agent, Raffaele Pimenta, was on the move, making it only a matter of time before Slott’s move to Spurs was finalized. According to Sky Sports, Pimenta told Feyenoord that ‘Slott wants to negotiate with Tottenham’ and ‘let’s discuss ending his contract with Feyenoord’. “In a meeting scheduled for Wednesday (May 25), Pimenta told the club that ‘Slott wants the Tottenham job’ and the transfer would happen,” Gold reported.

However, in a meeting with the club on the same day, Slott informed the club that he wanted to stay, not move to Tottenham. “I’ve heard a lot of interest in me and a lot of rumors,” Slott said. “I appreciate it, but my wish is to stay at Feyenoord. I want to continue what we achieved last year.”

He also addressed rumors of an imminent move to Tottenham: “There have been no talks with Tottenham. I was only thinking about extending my contract with Feyenoord. I’m looking forward to next season with Feyenoord.”