Feyenoord director reveals decision on Tottenham approach
Feyenoord director Dennis te Kloese has revealed he turned down an offer from Tottenham and expects current head coach Arne Slot to stay with the club instead of moving to the Premier League side.
Tottenham are searching for a sporting director following the resignation of Fabio Paratici last month. Paratici's departure was prompted by his ongoing battle related to a FIFA ban linked to his previous role at Juventus.
Spurs have appointed Scott Munn, the current chief executive of City Football Group China, as the newly created chief football officer, effective from July 1.
However, Tottenham are still looking for a director of football. 90min understands Brentford duo Phil Giles and Lee Dykes are among the targets shortlisted for the position.
Te Kloese has now ruled himself out of a move to north London, telling ESPN: "[Leaving is] not an option right now.
"I said 'no', and I also don't have any interest. I've made the choice to work for Feyenoord and that is still a great honour. We have made really good steps last year and then to say: 'Let's hear what I can do for other clubs,' is not an option for me. I want to be very clear: It will not happen."
Regarding Slot's future, Te Kloese added: "Slot still has a contract for two years.
"It is up to Arne to say something about that [his future]. But for us, there is no ambiguity about it. We assume that he will remain the trainer of Feyenoord."
Sources have told 90min Slot has signalled his interest in taking the Tottenham job to current employers Feyenoord, with Daniel Levy and the club's board impressed with the 44-year-old's on-field performance.
The Dutch coach has also publicly said his departure could benefit his side and he would be open to other possible opportunities at a "dream club", having rejected Leeds earlier this season.
"Everyone needs clarity quickly. I cancelled Leeds in the winter and now I'm staying or leaving," Slot said.
"My departure can also be good for the club, but if there is no dream club then I will stay. In football it is commonplace that you talk to clubs. I am not saying that I have done it now, but it is not forbidden that I talk to other clubs.
"The next step [for me] is to go abroad. I've always said the Premier League is the best league in the world. Italy have three teams in European finals. But the Premier League is the biggest league."
Te Kloese added Spurs have not been in contact regarding Slot, adding: "No, there has been no request from Tottenham.
"In February, there was concrete interest from Leeds United, but we and Arne said, 'no' to that. Arne did not want to go to Leeds and I think that was a very good decision.
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"We went a long way with Arne, [renegotiated] his contract last year. We are more than satisfied with him, and if there is interest in him, we will hear about it.
"He [Slot] has a contract for two more years, and this summer, there is no release clause in his contract, so we can say no if we want."
Slot has led Feyenoord to their first Eredivisie title since 2017 after finishing third in his first season at the club behind Ajax and PSV.
Eighth-placed Spurs parted ways with Antonio Conte in March and handed control to assistant coach Cristian Stellini. However, he was sacked after a 6-1 loss to Newcastle, leaving Ryan Mason in interim control.
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