Tottenham have taken two points from five matches and sit last in the Premier League, a start so poor that the manager’s long-term contract and the chief executive’s recent public support have not been enough to shut down speculation about who might replace him.

Goal.com reports that Slot is “a prime candidate” to come in if the club’s board loses patience with De Zerbi, who signed a deal through to 2031 only in the summer. The report also notes that Slot is open to a return to the Premier League and is actively looking for a club job.

Nothing has been confirmed by Tottenham, by Slot’s representatives, or by any other party. For now this is a rumour, and the club’s most recent on-the-record position is the opposite.

Venkatesham’s public backing, days earlier

At Tottenham’s first Fan Advisory Board meeting of the season, Venkatesham expressed confidence in De Zerbi, the squad and the summer rebuild. He said he was “encouraged by aspects of the underlying performances since the opening day defeat,” pointing to chances created against Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Everton that were not converted.

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The chief executive also acknowledged the disappointment at the points total so early in the season, adding that the club’s heavy summer activity, with roughly ten new players and a reported outlay above €300m, “might take time to take full effect.”

That is the gap this story sits in: a formal vote of confidence from the chief executive on one side, and reporting that an available ex-Liverpool coach is being tipped as a replacement on the other.

Slot’s situation since leaving Liverpool

Slot has been without a club since Liverpool parted ways with him on 30 May 2026, a year after he had delivered the club’s 20th league title in his first season in charge. Liverpool’s statement said the ownership had “come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward” after a fifth-place finish in 2025-26.

He was then linked with the Netherlands national-team job but did not take it. Explaining the decision in comments carried by Goal.com, he said he preferred day-to-day club work.

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“At this stage of my career, I prefer to be out on the training pitch with my players every day, something that is simply not possible in the same way with a national team.”

He also pushed back on suggestions that the Dutch federation balked at his wage demands.

“That speculation is incorrect. We simply never reached that stage of the discussions.”

A Premier League return would therefore line up with what Slot has himself said he wants, even if neither he nor any club has publicly linked him to a specific job.

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Thirteen points off the top, Old Trafford next

De Zerbi’s side are 13 points behind the Premier League leaders after five matches, with a summer spend that has produced no wins and growing pressure on a head coach who, on paper, has another five seasons on his contract.

Spurs’ next fixture is away to Manchester United on Saturday 10 October in the Premier League, kick-off 5:30pm local time.

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