Former Manchester United and Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is in talks to replace Mauricio Pochettino as Tottenham manager.
Pochettino, 47, was sacked as Spurs boss on Tuesday after five years in charge of the north London club.
The Argentine led Spurs to the Champions League final last season, where they lost to Liverpool.
Portuguese Mourinho has been out of work since being sacked by United in December 2018.
No deal has yet been reached between Mourinho and Spurs.
Mourinho back to the Premier League again?
The ex-Porto, Real Madrid and Inter Milan manager has turned down a number of job opportunities, including in China, Spain and Portugal, since leaving Old Trafford.
There have been reports of a falling out between Pochettino and chairman Daniel Levy, but the decision was taken purely because of the poor results over a number of months, starting last February.
Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe, RB Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann and free agent Massimiliano Allegri, who left Juventus at the end of last season, have all been linked with the job.
However, Mourinho is keen to take the helm at White Hart Lane, and if talks between the club and his representatives are successfully concluded, an announcement could be made as soon as Wednesday morning UK time.
Some officials at the club are increasing confident Mourinho could be unveiled at a press conference on Thursday if negotiations go well.
Analysis
Spurs have never hired a manager as expensive or demanding as Mourinho, nor spent the kind of money on players that he became accustomed to at clubs such as Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Many fans will therefore be surprised that he is in contention, with RB Leipzig’s young coach Julian Nagelsmann appearing a much more natural fit.
But Spurs have come a long way in recent years under Pochettino. They have a new £1bn stadium and training ground, and four successive seasons in the Champions League, (along with player sales) have helped them to become the most profitable club in world football.
They now have a European pedigree, and a hugely talented squad.
Mourinho has been out of the game for almost a year and having retained a home in London, the job appeals to him.
His tribulations at Manchester United saw him lose his ‘Special One’ status, but his many achievements in the game still command widespread respect.
Chairman Daniel Levy must now decide whether to gamble on Mourinho, who as he proved at Old Trafford, may be box office, but can also be high maintenance.
Pochettino at Spurs – highs and lows
- Pochettino was named Tottenham boss on 28 May, 2014 after taking Southampton to their best ever finish in the Premier League.
- After a fifth-placed finish in his first season at the club, he led them to third in 2015-16 – their highest final position in the Premier League.
- He became the first opposition manager to beat Pep Guardiola in England when Tottenham defeated Manchester City 2-0 in October 2016.
- Spurs continued to progress, finishing second and third respectively in the next two seasons.
- Led Tottenham to the last 16 of the Champions League in 2017-18 and was rewarded with a five-year contract in May 2018.
- Lost FA Cup semi-final to Manchester United in April 2018 – Tottenham’s eighth successive defeat at that stage of the competition.
- However, Spurs reached the Champions League final for the first time the following season after a memorable comeback against Ajax.
- Lost 7-2 to Bayern Munich in the group stage of this season’s Champions League.
- Departed Spurs on 19 November 2019 after just three Premier League wins all season.
