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Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique are both open to the idea of holding discussions over the possibility of the Spaniard replacing Antonio Conte at the end of the season, according to reports. The north Londoners are said to be planning to recruit a new permanent boss when the campaign draws to a close, with Conte looking increasingly likely to leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium upon the expiry of his current deal.
Enrique has been put forward as one of several possible candidates for the Tottenham job over the last few weeks, with the 52-year-old having been out of work since leaving the Spanish national team after the end of last year’s World Cup. It seems as though he could be tempted into a return to club management by replacing Conte at Spurs in the not-too-distant future, while Levy is thought to be keen on exploring the idea of bringing him in at the end of the campaign.
That’s according to The Times, who are reporting that Enrique would be ‘open’ to any potential approach from Tottenham between now and the start of next season. He is said to be interested in the prospect of managing a Premier League club and would jump at the right opportunity to do so, although it remains to be seen whether Tottenham will be able to convince him to take over the reins in north London.
Enrique is also said to be a favoured option for Tottenham director Fabio Paratici and would tick many of Levy’s boxes, including a commitment to high-octane attacking football and a preference to develop young players. There is also hope that Enrique would be able to convince Harry Kane to sign a new and improved contract at the club, with the striker’s existing deal set to expire in the summer of 2024.
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It is also claimed that all parties are fully expecting Conte to leave Spurs at the end of the season following their disappointing Champions League exit at the hands of AC Milan earlier this month. The Italian coach has shown no pressing desire to extend his stay over the last few months, although he is keen to avoid souring his relationship with the club as a result of their support during his recent period of health issues that saw him undergo gallbladder surgery.
Conte would reportedly like to go back to his homeland of Italy in the summer and has recently been linked with a return to Inter Milan, the club he left after guiding them to the Serie A title in 2021. Only time will tell if Enrique emerges as Conte’s eventual successor at Tottenham, though, with negotiations yet to get underway between the two parties in spite of the mutual interest in starting talks.
Meanwhile, there remains a chance that Conte could leave Spurs before the end of the season if Levy decides that his exit would be the best course of action for the club ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window. Former England striker Chris Sutton recently insisted that the Italian coach should walk away immediately if he is not prepared to sign a new contract, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: “It’s better for all concerned if he goes now.
“I think he will see the season out, but I’m just really confused what is going on at Spurs at this moment. Antonio Conte really needs to commit one way or the other and if he says ‘I’m here and happy to sign for another year or two’ then Tottenham can move on but it doesn’t look like he will.
“Therefore if Tottenham want to progress, they are better off making a change now. They have regressed from last season, they have been massively inconsistent.”
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