Tottenham next manager: Everything we know so far as ‘Arne Slot approach planned’
ottenham are looking for their fourth permanent manager in as many years and
Cristian Stellini, Conte’s assistant, was expected to see out the season only to be relieved of his duties and Ryan Mason is guiding the ship until the end of the season with mixed results.
The process of finding a new sporting director to replace managing director of football Fabio Paratici, who was forced to resign after being handed a worldwide ban from working in football has complicated the recruitment process.
Here is the latest on Totteham’s next manager…
Arne Slot is now considered the leading candidate
/ Evening StandardWho are the candidates?
Luis Enrique was top of Paratici’s initial shortlist of possible Conte successors way back in March, and talks have taken place between candidate and club. There was interest in Julian Nagelsmann but the club opted against interviewing the former Bayern manager.
Former head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was sacked in 2019, was the fan favourite option given his style of play and ability to improve the playing squad – two aspects both Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte struggled with – but, despite Pochettino being open to talks, Spurs did not reciprocate interest. Pochettino will now become Chelsea manager.
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has admirers at Spurs, while Graham Potter, sacking at Chelsea, had previously been of interest. Brendan Rodgers, another former target of Spurs, is also a free agent after leaving Leicester City but past interest has not been revived after a damaging few seasons.
Vincent Kompany and Xabi Alonson were also under consideration, after impressing at Burnley and Bayer Leverkusen, but both has since pledged the futures to their current clubs. Frankfurt’s Oliver Glasner continues to attract admiring glances from many, while Ange Postecoglou’s work at Celtic has not gone unnoticed.
That leaves Arne Slot – fresh from guiding Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title – who has emerged as the leading candidate.
Ryan Mason refusing to shift focus from next Spurs challenge amid uncertainty
Is an appointment close?
No, but it’s getting closer. Spurs are understood to want to appoint a new sporting director before deciding on Conte’s permanent successor, and that process is drawing to a close.
Slot appears to be the favoured candidate and is understood to want the job. Reports in the Netherlands suggest Slot’s agent is set for talks with Feyenoord before the end of May to decide on his future. The Athletic are reporting that Spurs are planning a formal approach to appoint Slot.
Latest odds
Arne Slot: 4/9
Julian Nagelsmann: 5/1
Luis Enrique: 8/1
Brendan Rodgers: 12/1
Luciano Spalletti: 14/1
Vincent Kompany: 16/1
Graham Potter: 20/1
Xabi Alonso: 20/1
Ruben Amorim: 25/1
Odds via Betfair, correct as of May 22.
