Slot’s teams play well in possession, and his players overlap to provide an extra layer of unpredictability.
“I’ve spoken to him a few times and what he does and what he sees is very good,” explains Van Basten. “He gets on with the squad very well, is tactically very astute, can explain things well and is calm and intelligent.
“I think he can go to any club, yes. Even to the very difficult clubs, because he is so intelligent.”
Apart from his tactical expertise and meticulous preparations, Slot is also good at building a team with modest resources.
Seven players who started the 2022 Europa Conference League final defeat by Roma left Feyenoord that summer. Slot, though, built a team with new recruits such as Santiago Gimenez, Sebastian Szymanski and Mats Wieffer – all for nominal fees – who would prove pivotal in securing a first Dutch title in six years.
Last summer, again, they lost important players in Szymanski and Orkun Kokcu, but have had a strong season once more, winning the Dutch Cup last Sunday.
Feyenoord spent around £30m on players in each of the past two campaigns, whereas Ajax have had an outlay of almost £100m in each of theirs.
On top of that, Slot gives young talent a chance.
Quinten Timber – twin brother of Arsenal’s Jurrien – and Quilindschy Hartman have developed very well under his tutelage and become pillars of the team, with both making their debut for the Dutch national team this season as well.
