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Tottenham legend springs door wide open, says Daniel Levy ‘has my number’

Jurgen Klinsmann has opened the door on an emotional return to Tottenham, saying Daniel Levy “has my number” as the Spurs supremo hunts down a successor to Jose Mourinho.

Levy sacked Mourinho last month and appointed Ryan Mason as caretaker boss. But the 29-year-old has returned to his job in the Academy with Levy eager to get a more experienced man on board. Levy told supporters last week he was looking for a coach who could deliver “free-flowing, attacking and entertaining” football, while developing “young players from our academy alongside experienced talent”.

A number of contenders have come and gone though with Julian Nagelsmann, Erik ten Hag, Hansi Flick and Brendan Rodgers all passing on the opportunity.

Football Insider report “Spurs are confident of appointing their new manager this week”.

That does not leave a lot of time for Levy to get a deal done, but one man who is definitely interested is former Spurs striker Klinsmann.

The former Germany and USA national team boss has two spells with Spurs and would welcome a return.

The 56-year-old was asked if he would help his old club out.

Klinsmann told Sky Sports: “Definitely you’d entertain it, no doubt. He [Daniel Levy] has my number, he can call me anytime. Spurs is something that you’d always consider.

“I’m always in touch and doing stuff with Spurs is always something special. I had the best time of my life there during my two spells.

“In the football world, things happen so fast. I never thought I’d coach Germany or the United States so you have to have an open mind. You have to always think about new challenges, so why not Spurs?”

Another man was understood be in the frame was Belgium coach Roberto Martinez. His situation remains unclear with Sky claiming he was in talks, before pulling their story.

The Independent suggest the former Wigan boss is not a contender for the Spurs job.

The Spanish coach “was said to be on the club’s shortlist to replace Jose Mourinho”.

The paper though reports: “It is understood there are no plans for talks between the two parties and he is not currently considered a candidate.”

Klinsmann meanwhile, remains on the periphery. He has been out of football management since leaving Hertha Berlin in February last year.

“It’s been a rollercoaster for Spurs this year,” Klinsmann said. “At the beginning they were at the top and we all started to dream. Thankfully at the end we got into the Europa Conference League so at least there’s some kind of credit to the season that you play European football next season.

“In general, it’s been a tough ride. My personal hope is that things will stabilise.

“Spurs fans want to see entertainment. They would rather lose 4-3 than win 1-0, that’s up to Arsenal. We’d rather score goals!”

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‘If Kane leaves you have a problem’

Asked whether he had sympathy for Harry Kane, Klinsmann added: “I feel sympathy for both sides, especially Harry, who has been the flag of the club for so many years. He’s done so much for them.

“The market is out there for him. Teams would grab him right away and they’d probably put down a lot of money.

“I personally hope he stays at Spurs but I also can understand him. I was in that situation in 1995. I badly wanted silverware and it worked out that way. I went to Bayern Munch and won the UEFA Cup and German championship.

“If Harry leaves then you have a problem because maybe [Heung-Min] Son says: ‘Hang on, I might move on as well then’.

“The most important path now is [for Spurs] to sit down with Harry, discuss the situation and lay out how he can continue his career with Spurs, how the roster will look for next season to make the squad even stronger.

“The quality is there. It needs a bit of fixing up but the key figure in all this is definitely Harry Kane. You’ve got to do everything possible to keep him.”

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