Tottenham are said to be keen on appointing former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann as their new permanent manager. After parting company with Antonio Conte on Sunday night, the club appointed Cristian Stellini and Ryan Mason in joint-caretaker charge while Daniel Levy and Co. identify the next man to land the north London hot seat.
Spurs have reportedly 'made contact' with Nagelsmann over their managerial vacancy after the 35-year-old was dismissed himself and swiftly replaced by Thomas Tuchel that same week, according to Sky Germany. The German is thought to be taking time over a decision about his future with reports also linking him to Real Madrid amid suggestions that Carlo Ancelotti could become Brazil's next manager.
While Tottenham have firmly established themselves as one of the Premier League's 'big six', becoming one of the biggest names in world football in the process, Nagelsmann reportedly has concerns this could be a step down in his managerial career. German broadcaster Constantin Eckner spoke about the head coach's reservations in accepting the vacant position on TalkSPORT, instead preferring to wait for the Madrid job to become available.
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He said: “There have been rumours about where Nagelsmann could go next, what he would do next or how he’d plan his future because his plan was to maybe be at Bayern for five years and then go to Real Madrid or something, but that’s out of the window.
“There’s a lot of speculation and as we’ve found out, Tottenham have made first contact, although not with him directly. I’m not sure it would be a smart idea to speak with him right now because when you talk about combustible personalities, I think he’s combustible right now.
“But they’ve spoken to one of his representatives to at least establish a first contact because Tottenham want to make a plan for the future beyond June for the next year and Nagelsmann is on the list and I guess, close to the top of the list. The German media is emphasising that Nagelsmann hasn’t made any decision, he wants to take his time and there are other moving pieces here.
“His agent is closely connected to Real Madrid, for instance, because Toni Kroos is also advised by the same agent and Kroos is one of the elder statesmen at Real Madrid and someone who maybe has a future there beyond retirement.
“Nagelsmann considered the Real Madrid job when he considered the Bayern job as one of the top-notch jobs but internationally, Tottenham is one of the top tier clubs, but from Nagelsmann’s side there are some question marks there from him and his representatives regarding how competitive Tottenham are compared to the Manchester clubs, Liverpool and so on.
“They are question marks and I think they are justified because Tottenham are always seen a notch below these other clubs.”
Eckner added the perception of Spurs in Germany may not be as high as they are regarded in England. He instead compared the Lilywhites to Bayer Leverkusen, who currently sit eighth in the Bundesliga, which clearly represents a drop down in standard from the league champions he had been managing.
“It would be considered a step below – not a huge step below, but a step below – because the perception over here in Germany is that Tottenham is something like Bayer Leverkusen, although I wouldn’t compare the clubs directly," he added.
“They’re clubs who make headlines and make waves internationally almost every year, but they’re not at eye-level with Dortmund and Bayern over here and maybe even below RB Leipzig, while in England they’re below the two Manchester clubs, Liverpool, perhaps Arsenal because of their current situation.
“There are also question marks if Nagelsmann goes to a club where they somehow dive into, not mediocrity, but a club who maybe finishes fifth or sixth and coming from a club who are actually competing for a Champions League title.
“It would be considered a step below – it’s nothing against Tottenham, it’s just because the competition in England is so tough and there are clubs with investors who are pumping money into like you’d pump gas into a car.”
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