Tottenham have held talks with Antonio Conte about their head coach vacancy, with the Italian emerging as a strong contender for the job.
Spurs are still without a manager despite sacking Jose Mourinho on April 19, having missed out on appointing their top two targets Julian Nagelsmann and Brendan Rodgers.
It is understood initial contact between former Chelsea manager Conte — who walked out on Inter Milan two weeks ago after delivering the Serie A title — and Tottenham has taken place with both parties believed to be open to a deal.
Importantly, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is behind the prospect of appointing the Italian, despite his history with one of his club’s arch rivals across the capital.
Juventus administrator Fabio Paratici is also interesting Spurs in the role of technical director. Any move to appoint Conte is thought to be some way off, but discussions could accelerate fast.
The Italian, 51, is likely to want a sizeable wage packet and assurances over the summer transfer plans. Conte will surely make it one of his ‘non-negotiables’ that unsettled England captain Harry Kane stays this summer.
Spurs have also explored the possibility of bringing back Mauricio Pochettino but luring him from his current position at Paris Saint-Germain is proving complex, despite the Argentine wanting a return to north London. The French club insist Pochettino is staying and even triggered an extra year on his contract, adding another layer of difficulty in extracting him.
For Pochettino to be appointed, it would require the former Southampton boss to walk away from his job in Paris. Even then, Tottenham would be required to pay compensation to PSG on the notice period of his current contract.
Appointing Conte would prove a far simpler exercise given he is currently a free agent after leaving Inter Milan. The fact he has experience of the Premier League is an obvious attraction for Spurs, who have also considered Brighton’s Graham Potter and Erik ten Hag of Ajax.
Conte galvanised Chelsea when he arrived in 2016, lifting the Premier League title in his first season — seven points ahead of second-placed Spurs. But his combustible nature was never too far from the surface.
His intensity was undoubtedly one of the key driving forces behind Chelsea’s form, while his early season decision to switch to a back-three was seen as a tactical masterstroke.
Conte craves control — but history tells us he will not necessarily be afforded that luxury at Tottenham. Levy runs a tight ship; it may have to be even tighter in the coming months and years as the club pay for their new stadium and adapt financially due to the costs of covid.
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