Leeds United have been criticised for the manner in which they approached Feyenoord manager Arne Slot about the vacant manager’s position at Elland Road.
The Whites are on the hunt for their next permanent manager after sacking Jesse Marsch earlier this week following a disappointing run of results.
Slot was quickly named among the top three candidates alongside Andoni Iraola and Marcelo Gallardo, but shot to the top of that list when the other candidates made it clear they were not interested in the role.
He followed them in doing so today, insisting in a press conference that he would not be joining Leeds and preferred to stay at Feyenoord to continue his work there.
He also confirmed the rumours that Leeds were interested in him, admitting that they had been in touch with Feyenoord over a possible deal for his signature.
That revelation has not gone down as well with former Dutch striker Harry van der Laan, who believes any approach was completely unacceptable.
“By the way, I do find it strange that a coach is approached who is working for a title with his team, to then take them away somewhere, in the middle of a season,” FR Fans report him saying.
“Inappropriate really even. They can get managers from all over the world, who also have no work probably, even good managers.
“And then they pick one who is fully in contention for a title. I find that very strange.
“I think it’s even different with a player, because then you have a 24-man squad. But this is the man who sets all the lines, who is very decisive for the success, also of a club in this case. So I find that slightly different from a player who leaves in between.”
