Feyenoord manager Arne Slot is ‘obsessed’ by Brighton and Hove Albion and their style of play under Roberto de Zerbi, watching their games religiously to try and imitate them.
That’s according to journalist Pieter Zwart, who says the highly rated Dutch coach is determined to learn as much as he can about Brighton and emulate their recent success.
Feyenoord are currently flying high under Slot after winning the Eredivisie title last season, sitting third in the league table but top of Group E in the Champions League with six points from three games.
They continued their strong form in Europe this season with an impressive win over Lazio this week, beating Maurizio Sarri’s side 3-1 in De Kuip with a dominant display.
The Dutch club appear to be going from strength to strength under Slot’s guidance, playing an attractive, attacking brand of football that is earning them plaudits.
That’s very familiar to what’s occurring at Brighton, where Roberto de Zerbi arrived last season to succeed Graham Potter turned them into one of the most attractive sides in Europe.
The Italian and his team have been receiving the plaudits and admirers, ever since and it seems one man to add to the list is the current Feyenoord coach.
“Slot is obsessed with De Zerbi and watches all Brighton matches,” Zwart told Voetbal International, relayed by FR12.
“Slot is in front of the TV every weekend. We had interviews with Kökçü, who said that at one point he even went to see Brighton, because Slot couldn’t stop talking about it. This ensures that if everyone in the group is involved in this, it helps.
“The main thing is that they sense when they can or cannot play a pass. Brighton is lord and master at that. If you get your group of players to look at it, that helps enormously. In these types of matches you see that it comes out at Feyenoord.”
