Daniel Levy has reopened communications with Julian Nagelsmann about becoming the next Tottenham manager, according to a report.
Tottenham are on the search for a new manager after parting company with Antonio Conte in March. Initially, they put his assistant, Cristian Stellini, in charge, before dismissing him too and handing the reins to Ryan Mason until the end of the season.
Mason has insisted he would be ready for the permanent jobbut Tottenham’s mixed form under him – most recently they lost 3-1 to Brentford – suggests they would be better off bringing in a more established replacement.
Yet the preferred solution might not actually be that much older than Mason. Tottenham’s top candidate all along has been the 35-year-old Nagelsmann, who was recently dismissed by Bayern Munich.
However, earlier this month, it was reported that Levy is no longer considering Nagelsmann as an option for Tottenhamwho were said to have no intention of meeting with the German tactician.
A little over a week later, though, The Times is now reporting that talks have actually ‘summed up’ between Tottenham and Nagelsmann.
It is implied that, contrary to previous information, there have been discussions between the two parties before. And now, Nagelsmann is ‘back in the running’ to become the next Tottenham manager.
Nagelsmann wants sporting director clarity before becoming the next Tottenham manager
There is one obstacle preventing Nagelsmann from saying yes to Tottenham yet. Per the report, the coach wants to know who the club’s next director of football will be.
Fabio Paratici recently vacated his role after a ban was imposed by the footballing authorities in his native Italy. Therefore, Tottenham need a new transfer supremo.
Some managers prefer to have a bigger say in transfers themselves, while others like to work in tandem with a sporting director. For Nagelsmann, the latter method would be preferable so he can primarily focus on coaching and improving his players.
And there is a lot of improving for Tottenham to do after a season in which they risk failing to qualify for European football. There are also serious question marks about the future of star striker Harry Kanewhose departure would set Spurs back a considerable distance.
The first piece of clarity Tottenham need to obtain is who will be in charge of them next season. Yet if it is to be Nagelsmann, they will have to get a sporting director in place quickly as well.
As for the head coach position, other contenders seem to include Feyenoord’s Arne Slot and former Spain manager, Luis Enrique.
But Nagelsmann would become a high-profile appointment after building up his reputation across spells with Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich.
His next job could take him outside Germany if Tottenham can convince him of their plans.
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