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What happened when Leeds tried to make Arne Slot their new manager before he joined Liverpool
Way before Liverpool appointed Arne Slot to replace Jurgen Klopp, Leeds United were seriously interested in bringing the Dutchman to Elland Road.
Towards the beginning of 2023, Leeds sacked Jesse Marsch and were looking for a new manager whilst Michael Skubala was interim charge of the club.
Slot was then manager of Feyenoord in the Netherlands, a coach with a burgeoning reputation.
Leeds were fighting to stay in the Premier League and ended up appointing Javi Gracia for 12 games before then turning to Sam Allardyce in a last-ditch attempt to stay up.
But it could have been so different for the club, were Victor Orta able to bring Slot to Leeds.
In first season at Liverpool, Slot is currently on course to win the Premier League, a manager who’s not only coped with the expectations Klopp passed on, but has also gone beyond them.
Leeds wanted Arne Slot after missing out on Andoni Iraola
Back in 2023, Slot wasn’t Victor Orta’s number one candidate to replace Marsch, that was current Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola according to .
Iraola was interested in joining Leeds, but Rayo Vallecano would not have accepted his departure amicably mid-season, and he didn’t want to upset the club.
READ MORE: Arne Slot shares the ‘decisive factor’ that convinced him to snub Tottenham
Then, Leeds turned their attention to Slot, whilst also considering current Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo in the background, another coach who is flying this season.
Unfortunately for Leeds, Feyenoord were not interested in losing Slot despite Orta actually flying to the Netherlands to find out.
Slot didn’t have a release clause in his contract, and despite Orta seemingly having some inclination that a deal could be done, the manager then dismissed the idea himself.
Arne Slot said Leeds’ interest was a ‘compliment’
Slot actually spoke very candidly about Leeds’ interest in appointing him at a press conference before Feyenoord were set to meet Herenveen at the time.
The now Liverpool manager described Leeds’ interest as a ‘compliment’ but then expressed his commitment to Feyenoord all the same.
Slot said: “It is true that I will stay with Feyenoord, I can say that with this one. That is clear, fans do not have to be afraid.
“The club has been clear. It was a compliment that a club like Leeds was interested, but we are doing something great with Feyenoord. We are in a great position in the league, the cup and Europe.
“There is no disappointment. It’s certainly not a punishment to stay here.”
Of course, it’s a little too convenient to suggest that Leeds would be flying high in the Premier League still had they appointed Slot, which would have been a very different challenge to the one he inherited at Anfield.
But it’s certainly one to ponder.