Ex- Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is currently top of Tottenham 's 10-man shortlist to replace Antonio Conte, it's been claimed.
Conte, 53, finally parted ways with Spurs via "mutual consent" on Sunday after 16 tumultuous months at the helm, ending a week of intense speculation following his extraordinary post-match rant after Tottenham succumbed to a 3-3 draw with bottom-placed Southampton last Saturday. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is now searching for the Italian's successor, having installed his former No.2, Cristian Stellini, as interim manager for their final 10 games of the season.
Tottenham are reported to have drawn up a shortlist containing 10 names to potentially succeed Conte, including Mauricio Pochettino and Luis Enrique, although Nagelsmann is understood to be Levy and co's priority target. According to the Daily Mail, the Spurs hierarchy want to speak to the highly rated German tactician less than a week after he was ruthlessly sacked by Bayern.
Despite only losing three games this season, Nagelsmann was given the chop in favour of ex- Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel, who's already taken his place in Munich. Now out of work and open to his fourth managerial post aged just 35, Tottenham are keen to hold talks with Nagelsmann - but he isn't the only candidate.
Former Spurs manager Pochettino still has admirers at the club, no-doubt thanks to his sterling work across five-and-a-half years which saw Tottenham become staples of the Champions League and reach the competition's final in 2019. Meanwhile, Enrique's glittering CV includes a treble win with Barcelona, and having quit his post in charge of the Spanish national team shortly after their early World Cup exit in December, the 52-year-old is believed to keen on trying his hand in the Premier League.
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has impressed since replacing Graham Potter on the south coast last September, and he's another name being discussed in North London. Premier League trio Thomas Frank, Marco Silva and Steve Cooper, head coaches of Brentford, Fulham and Nottingham Forest respectively, are also said to be in the frame.
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Completing the shortlist are Porto manager Sergio Conceicao, Eintracht Frankfurt gaffer Oliver Glasner and beloved Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou. It's unknown whether Levy would be willing to cut Stellini's interim spell short before campaign comes to an end or wait to welcome a new manager in the summer, as Spurs aim to cling on to fourth place and achieve Champions League qualification.
Levy said in a statement announcing Conte's departure: "We have 10 Premier League games remaining and we have a fight on our hands for a Champions League place. We all need to pull together. Everyone has to step up to ensure the highest possible finish for our Club and amazing, loyal supporters."
