Next Tottenham manager: Liverpool icon becomes ‘top contender’ for job after Nagelsmann ‘uncertainty’
Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso has reportedly emerged as Tottenham Hotspur’s ‘primary’ managerial target, after an impressive season at Bayer Leverkusen.
Spurs are set to undergo a summer of change as club chairman Daniel Levy searches for a manager, as well as a new director of football.
Tottenham’s season has been a major disappointment, so an outside-the-box appointment could be exactly what they need to get themselves back on track.
Antonio Conte left as Spurs manager in March after, a poor run of results and some colourful outbursts in post-match interviews.
Since, Cristian Stellini has been and gone, and now Ryan Mason is charged with being the Tottenham boss until the end of the season.
After failing to win in their last four games, the London club sit in a disappointing sixth place in the Premier League table.
Indeed, after looking nailed on to qualify for the Champions League earlier in the season, all they have to play for now is the Europa League.
As a result, Levy is on the hunt for a new manager who can turn their fortunes around.
Up until recently, former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann was the big favourite to land the job. However, as noted by Football365, his anticipated appointment is now in doubt.
This is because of the ‘uncertainty’ about the sporting director job at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Fabio Paratici left Spurs in April and Levy is yet to bring in a replacement.
As a result, it seems Tottenham are considering alternative targets to Nagelsmann. Now, Alonso has emerged as a shock candidate for the job.
This is according to Dutch outlet de Telegraaf, who state that the Spurs hierarchy have been impressed with Alonso this season and he is now their ‘primary target.’
The ex-Liverpool midfielder has guided Bayer Leverkusen to the Europa League semi-finals this term. In the Bundesliga, they currently sit in sixth place.
De Telegraaf’s report notes that Alonso is thought to hold an advantage over Feyenoord boss and fellow candidate Arne Slot, who has led his side to an eight-point lead at the top of the Eredivisie.
Indeed, Slot was believed to be Nagelsmann’s ‘main rival’ for the Spurs job until they identified Alonso as a potential option.
The question, however, is whether the Leverkusen boss would accept the role. Alonso only became manager of the German club in October and has a contract valid until 2024.
The 41-year-old is still lacking experience, too, so it would make sense for him to hone his skills in Germany.
However, a job in the Premier League at a club like Tottenham could be difficult to turn down. With that in mind, this story could be one to watch over the next few weeks.
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