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PEC Zwolle midfielder Thomas van den Belt has admitted “it would be a great pity” if Feyenoord boss Arne Slot were to leave for Tottenham or anyone else at the end of the season.

1908.nl explain that Van den Belt’s father is a ‘good friend’ of Slot’s, meaning that when it came for a conversation with the 21-year-old, the subject of his future was always likely to come up.

Slot has been earning himself a growing reputation in the Netherlands for his work with Feyenoord this season, leading them to the top of the table ahead of Ajax and PSV Eindhoven with an attractive brand of football.

He was already targeted by Leeds United earlier this year and now finds himself among the candidates being linked with the Tottenham position.

Indeed, it’s believed he may be one of two final candidates that Daniel Levy and co are looking at alongside Julian Nagelsmann.

At the moment he appears to be behind the former Bayern Munich coach but the possibility of a move away from Feyenoord is strong, to say the least, and Van den Belt, who could work alongside him next season with an €850k transfer already agreed, admits seeing him leave for Tottenham or anywhere else would be a shame.

“Whether it would change anything for me if he leaves? Somehow yes,” he said.

“He is partly responsible for my arrival. He has made a lot of players a much better footballer and he will undoubtedly do the same with me. In that respect, it would be a real pity if he leaves Feyenoord.

“He is doing so well with Feyenoord, I can imagine he is in the interest of a lot of clubs. Then there would be another coach in front of the group, but that can happen every year. A new coach can also make me better.

“I don’t know if he will stay or leave. He is having an excellent season at Feyenoord and if you become champion, I think clubs will really come. But it could also be that he wants to get into the Champions League with Feyenoord and stay another year.

“It is not that I have more knowledge because he is good frien with my father. I know as much as you do and I’m also waiting it out nicely.”