Another day, another candidate out of the running. For Tottenham chief Daniel Levy, the search for a successor to Jose Mourinho is proving difficult to conclude.
The Portuguese was brutally axed on April 19, just six days before he was due to take charge of his side for the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
Ryan Mason was drafted in as interim head coach until the end of the season and took his place in the dugout at Wembley. But their 13-year wait for a trophy goes on after their 1-0 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side.
Levy is believed to be targeting an attack-minded manager to replace Mourinho, whose defensive style of play and critical man-management style proved unpopular during his 18-month reign at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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But the list of candidates is dwindling as other European clubs prepare to make changes of their own this summer, although Levy is refusing to rush into a decision over his next appointment.
So, who remains on the list of candidates to take the hotseat?
Managers who have snubbed Spurs
Julian Nagelsmann
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The German emerged as an exciting candidate for Spurs as it was reported he was keen on a move to the Premier League.
However, it quickly transpired that once Hansi Flick confirmed his exit from Bayern Munich, the RB Leizpig coach would be their first choice to take the reins at the Allianz Arena.
Brendan Rodgers
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Rodgers has publicly committed his future to Leicester and that is perfectly understandable given the comfort the Northern Irishman has in the dugout at the King Power.
He remains the bookmakers’ favourite for the vacant post, but if he guides the Foxes to Champions League football next season, it would be a shock to see him leave them behind.
Erik Ten Hag
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The Dutchman appeared to be the leading man for the job after Tottenham made contact with the Ajax boss over replacing Mourinho.
Ten Hag was the man at the helm of the Dutch side when they reached the Champions League semi-finals, before Lucas Moura’s hat-trick completed a famous comeback in Amsterdam.
He is a promising coach who Levy was keen on snapping up. But on Friday, the former Bayern Munich assistant spurned their interest to sign a one-year extension to his deal with the Eredivisie giants.
Nuno Espirito Santo
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Super agent Jorge Mendes has been doing his utmost to put his client in the frame for the job after a disappointing season with Wolves.
In addition to this, Nuno said to be keen on managing a club competing for European football after taking the West Midlands outfit to the Europa League last season.
Despite this, the 47-year-old reaffirmed his commitment to the club only last week, suggesting he may be off-limits for now.
Potential candidates for the job
Maurizio Sarri
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At this stage, the Italian seems the most likely choice.
Sarri has pedigree coaching at the highest level with Napoli, Chelsea and Juventus with a patient, possession-based game the sole pillar of his management.
He is also a free agent, although Roma are reportedly interested too. Notably, he won the Serie A with the Bianconeri and the Europa League with Chelsea and just might be the man to finally end Tottenham’s trophy hoodoo.
Massimiliano Allegri
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A manager with a proven track record of winning is precisely what every Tottenham fan wants. The only question is: does Allegri fancy risking it all for a spell at Spurs?
What’s more, his tendency to favour results over performance is far removed from an attacking philosophy.
And according to reports in Italy, the five-time Serie A winner is in the running to return to Juventus, with Andrea Pirlo is facing the sack.
Rafa Benitez
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Having managed three other Premier League clubs in Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle, there are few foreign coaches who know the English game better.
The Spaniard is a tactical mastermind and has enjoyed success almost everywhere he has been, although questions remain over whether his ideals match Levy’s demands for attacking football.
Scott Parker
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A previous Spurs captain who understands the club from top to bottom, Parker would resemble a sensible choice after building a promising project at Fulham — and there is no doubt he would jump at the chance to lead his former club.
But the absence on his CV of coaching a side in Europe could prevent him getting the job.
Ryan Mason
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
The interim manager turning permanent manager? We have seen this one before. It really depends on how he copes with the pressure.
So far, he has said all the right things, but he is still raw as a coach, and getting the best out of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son may prove a difficult challenge.
At 29, it feels like this role may be out of Mason’s reach, barring a magnificent finish to the season.
Eddie Howe
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Fits the brand of football required by Levy but doubts remain over whether he can he handle a big-time job.
Even when guiding Bournemouth to an impressive 9th in 2016-17, none of the top clubs were prepared to take a punt on the 43-year-old.
Now his stock has fallen, Howe may be viewed as a gamble — something Levy can ill afford.
