A month ago, Feyenoord boss Arne Slot was being linked with the vacant Leeds United hotseat after the club decided to sack Jesse Marsch – and now, he has guided his side into the Europa League quarter-finals, in emphatic style.
Feyenoord faced a tricky looking challenge in the form of Shakhtar Donetsk. A club that had come down from the Champions League, to the Europa League – knocking Celtic out of Europe entirely. It was expected to be a close tie.
It certainly was in the first leg. Shakhtar came close to winning, only for Feyenoord to equalise in the last 15 minutes. But in The Netherlands, Feyenoord blew Shakhtar away. Slot masterminded a massive 7-1 win on Thursday night.
He watched his side tear Shakhtar apart, as the highly-rated 44-year-old continues to push his side forward in Europe. Last season, his side came within an inch of Europa Conference League glory. Luis Sinisterra a key part of the side.
But Jose Mourinho’s Roma won 1-0. Now, Feyenoord find themselves at the top of the Eredivisie and closing in on a surprise League title ahead of favourites Ajax – and in the last eight of the Europa League. Slot is shining as manager.
Slot guides Feyenoord into Europa League quarter-finals after Leeds links
The Independent said Leeds would have only had to spend £5.75m to land Slot. But in the end, it was Feyenoord that convinced Slot to stay. Having spent his playing career, and management in Holland, he is yet to win the league title.
But that could be about to change and it looks as if it was a smart decision. Not least, also, because Feyenoord have reached the last eight of the Europa League with a 7-1 win. His stock is rising and it might be he has outgrown Leeds.
Indeed, that is the belief of Feyenoord legend Mario Been – who says Slot should be reaching higher. Been sees Slot on the same level as Manchester United’s Erik ten Hag. So, Leeds have missed out on Europa League quarter-finalist Slot.
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