LONDON − Tottenham are reportedly in advanced talks with Antonio Conte over the manager’s job after sacking Nuno Espirito Santo yesterday following a dismal run in the Premier League.
Former Inter Milan and Chelsea boss Antonio is understood to be the top target for the London club, who dismissed Nuno yesterday after just four months in charge.
Spurs had approached Antonio about succeeding the axed Jose Mourinho earlier this year but were unable to convince the Italian to take the job.
If the 52-year-old accepts Tottenham’s offer, he would return to the Premier League three years after leaving their London rivals, Chelsea, where he won the Premier League and the FA Cup.
It was reported Antonio and his representatives met with Tottenham officials in London yesterday evening and struck a deal for an 18-month contract running until 2023.
He is expected to be officially confirmed as Tottenham’s new boss today and would take charge of his first match in the Europa Conference League at home to Vitesse Arnhem tomorrow.
Antonio’s first Premier League game with Tottenham would come at Everton on Sunday.
Antonio, who has also managed Juventus and Italy, guided Inter to the Serie A title last season but surprisingly left shortly afterwards.
Nuno’s sacking came two days after Tottenham’s woeful 3-0 defeat at home to Manchester United, who have themselves struggled in recent weeks.
It was Spurs’ fifth defeat in their past seven league games and the toxic reaction to the Portuguese coach at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium proved the final straw for chairman Daniel Levy.
A club statement yesterday said Nuno and his coaching staff had been “relieved of their duties”.
“I know how much Nuno and his coaching staff wanted to succeed and I regret that we have had to take this decision,” said Tottenham director of football Fabio Paratici, who has a good relationship with Antonio after working with him at Juventus.
“Nuno is a true gentleman and will always be welcome here. We should like to thank him and his coaching staff and wish them well for the future.”
Tottenham, who have not won silverware since 2008, reached the Champions League final as recently as 2019 under former boss Mauricio Pochettino, who is now in charge of Paris Saint-Germain.
But the club, who regularly finished in the top four under Mauricio, have lost their way since then and have missed out on the Champions League for two consecutive seasons.
Nuno, 47, was announced as the new Spurs boss on June 30, replacing Jose, who was sacked in April.
Tottenham topped the Premier League table after three 1-0 wins at the start of the season, including a victory over defending champions Manchester City, but results rapidly deteriorated.
They have lost five of their past seven league matches and are eighth in the table, 10 points behind leaders Chelsea.
Nuno lost seven of his 17 games in charge and former Tottenham star Gary Lineker tweeted: “Nuno has been fired. @SpursOfficial are something of a shambles at present.”
A statement from Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust said the organisation took no pleasure in Nuno’s departure.
“Nuno Espirito Santo conducted himself with integrity, good grace and civility throughout his short time at Spurs,” it said. “And although clearly not the right fit for Tottenham, we wish him and his coaching staff... well for the future.”
If appointed, Antonio would be tasked with ensuring Tottenham play more adventurous football at their gleaming new stadium than the dour fare served up by the tactically-conservative Nuno.
He would also have to get the best out of England captain Harry Kane, who has looked a shadow of his former self since his attempt to engineer a move to Manchester City was rebuffed by Daniel. – AFP, November 2, 2021
