Major twist in Tottenham saga as top manager target edges towards change of heart
Antonio Conte now has serious doubts about taking over at Tottenham Hotspur and looks less likely to become their next head coach.
Former Chelsea boss Conte had emerged as a leading candidate to take the reins at Tottenham after leaving Inter Milan. The Italian won the Serie A title, but left due to Inter’s financial predicament. As Spurs look for a permanent successor to Jose Mourinho, a return to London had been speculated.
It seemed Conte was close to joining Tottenham and there were already plenty of reports about which players he may try to sign as well.
However, it now seems he has had a change of heart.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sport Italia, Conte is becoming increasingly doubtful about the Tottenham job. As things stand, he is leaning towards turning it down.
The reason for his potential snub is that he does not think the squad is competitive enough. It may take a few years for Spurs to get back among the Premier League’s best.
Therefore, Conte sees the gap as too wide and could be ready to turn his back on Tottenham.
The update comes after the coach himself admitted that he saw himself managing elsewhere within the next five years
“I would like to have experiences abroad,” he told DAZN. “I would like to go to America.”
Conte may still look for a job in Europe before then, but that still might not be the Tottenham vacancy.
It will force Daniel Levy to consider alternatives. Reports earlier on Friday suggested he still remained hopeful of luring Mauricio Pochettino back to the club, despite Paris Saint-Germain extending his contract.
That seems like it might be a struggle to pull off as well, though, sending Levy back to the drawing board.
Paratici still part of plans
It had been thought that there could be a reunion at Tottenham between Conte and former Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici.
And while links with the former may be cooling now, the latter remains on the agenda.
Paratici bid farewell to Juventus at a press conference on Friday and was coy about his next step.
“I don’t think this is the right time to talk about other clubs today it’s my Juventus farewell today,” he said. “My family hopes that I will find a job quickly.
“Working at Juventus is a real education in terms of mentality and style. Obviously, you hope to learn something at every club, but I will certainly bring that with me in future.”
The Guardian insist that Tottenham will still try to pair him up with Conte, who is reflecting on whether or not Spurs have the conditions in place to win trophies.
READ MORE: Mourinho ‘talks’ with senior Tottenham star surface over ‘last chance’ option
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