Reports coming from the Premier League indicate that Tottenham Hotspur are looking to hijack Chelsea’s talks with Luis Enrique as they continue their search for a new manager.
The North London club have been without a permanent manager since the March international break after they parted ways with Antonio Conte. The former Juventus manager had a few months to go on his contract with the club but his frustrations over their performances boiled over.
His comments struck a nerve with the club and allegedly, some players, leading to the Daniel Levy-led club administration to let him go before his contract was up.
His assistant, Cristian Stellini has been handling the club in the interim while the club search for a permanent replacement for the 2023/24 season and beyond. A number of targets including Julian Nagelsmann, formerly of Bayern Munich, and former manager Mauricio Pochettino have been mentioned.
Former Spain national team boss Luis Enrique was also mentioned as a potential manager for the North London side when Conte’s dismissal was made official. The talks died down until now, when it was revealed that West London side Chelsea are planning to enter into talks with the 52-year-old.
The Telegraph reports that both Chelsea and Spurs will meet with the former AS Roma manager this week in order to pitch their clubs to him. The report also claims that Burnley boss Vincent Kompany, who delivered the Clarets back to the Premier League on the first time of asking, has admirers among the Spurs’ board. Eredivisie club Feyenoord’s Arne Slot is also an option being considered by the club.
Spurs are currently fifth on the log and in danger of missing out on UEFA Champions League football. Stellini is also being evaluated by his performance but it is unlikely that he will retain the role regardless of how he finishes the season with the club.
The key part of the report suggests that Pochettino could be the new manager if the Lilywhites fail to make headway with Enrique – who is now the favourite for the role – or with the other options including Nagelsmann.
Spurs are also dealing with the possible exit of Harry Kane, who is being targeted by Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
The 29-year-old’s contract at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium runs out in the summer of 2024 and it is believed that he is not ready to listen to any renewal talks at the moment.
This could give other clubs the opportunity to strike and convince him to move, which would greatly weaken Spurs except they are able to convince him or get a proper replacement.
