Slot Reflects on Tottenham Speculation and Praises Postecoglou's Impact
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is preparing to lead his side against Tottenham Hotspur in north London on Sunday, a fixture that carries additional intrigue given Slot's past links to Spurs. Less than two years ago, Slot was rumoured to be the leading candidate for the Tottenham job as Antonio Conte's successor. However, he ultimately chose to stay at Feyenoord before making the move to Anfield a year later.
Slot has maintained a reserved stance on the rumours surrounding his potential move to Tottenham. Reflecting on the speculation, he remarked, "The problem is that the ones who know do not want to talk about it, and the ones who don't know do want to talk about it." While Dutch reports claimed Slot turned down an offer, Tottenham's official position denied any formal approach. Slot added, "I was really happy that I stayed at Feyenoord. That I can say."
Now firmly established at Liverpool, Slot appears to hold no regrets about the path his career has taken. However, he is unequivocal in his admiration for Ange Postecoglou, who eventually became Tottenham's head coach.
Slot's appreciation for Postecoglou extends beyond mere professional respect. The Liverpool manager is a vocal admirer of the attacking football that the Spurs boss has brought to north London. "If a manager plays such an attacking brand of football, please support him, because this is what we want," Slot stated, emphasising the importance of rewarding managers who prioritise entertainment and creativity.
Slot went further, expressing his hopes for Postecoglou to secure silverware: "When he starts to win something, people will start to get positive, and then other managers will try to do the same. I always hope that the ones who play the most attacking football win trophies as well."
Postecoglou's Spurs have indeed revitalised their fanbase with an exhilarating style of play. Slot noted how Tottenham's dramatic win over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals exemplified this approach. He highlighted the stark contrast between the two sides: "I saw a very attacking team from Tottenham and...one and a half attacking players in the line-up of United."
Slot believes that Spurs' bold approach benefits football as a whole, saying, "I think it is a privilege to be a season ticket holder at Tottenham. I don't think there are many season ticket holders in the country who can say they watch so many great games."
Despite Slot's praise, Liverpool remain in a stronger position than Spurs this season. The Reds sit 13 points ahead of Tottenham in the Premier League table, with the north London side having played one more match. Sunday's clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium offers Liverpool an opportunity to consolidate their position near the top of the table.
However, Slot's respect for Postecoglou's methods adds an extra layer of intrigue to the match. Following this Premier League encounter, the two managers will meet again in January and February during the Carabao Cup semi-finals, setting the stage for a compelling tactical battle between two advocates of attacking football.