Next Tottenham manager: Levy approach ‘worries’ current club as clause frees No 1 target to take job ‘next week’

Celtic are ‘increasingly worried’ about Ange Postecoglou jumping ship and becoming the next Tottenham manager amid claims a move to put him in charge of the north London club will be finalised next week.

The search to appoint the next Tottenham manager has been a long and arduous one. The process was started by former sporting director Fabio Paratici back in early March and even before Antonio Conte was fired. And while the Italian’s sacking came as no surprise, the timing of it probably did.

Indeed, Conte was initially expected to leave at the end of his deal this summer. However, a stinging criticism of the club left Daniel Levy with little option but to pull the trigger early.

And his removal as manager sparked a dramatic downturn of form that ultimately saw the club slip from fourth to an eighth-place finish.

Out of Europe and seemingly with a team at risk of losing star man, Harry Kane, finding a willing incumbent for the manager’s seat has proved trickier than expected.

However, the end appears to be in sight with Spurs closing in on Postecoglou. The Greek, Aussie is on the brink of leading Celtic to the Treble, having also won the Double last season and is now Spurs’ outstanding No 1 choice for the vacancy.

Tipped to play high-octaine football that will delight the Tottenham fans, an approach for his services will arrive after Saturday’s Scottish Cup final against Inverness.

Indeed, it’s now being reported that Celtic are increasingly worried that Postecoglou will depart for Spurs.

And per the reports, the Bhoys are well aware the 57-year-old is now the leading contender for the job.

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Postecoglou will leave Celtic to become next Tottenham manager

More worringly for Celtic, a clause in his deal means Postecoglou only signs up for 12 months at a time. And with that yearly rolling deal due to expire shortly, Spurs will never have a better chance to land their man.

Celtic, wary of Tottenham interest, are desperately trying to get their manager to sign an extension.

However, there now appears a widening acceptance that Saturday’s match will be his last one at Celtic.

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton is also convinced that Postecoglou will soon be departing.

Writing in the Daily Record, he claims Postecoglou will see a move to Tottenham as his last chance at a Premier League job.

“My own opinion looking from the outside in is that it isn’t down to money, be it for himself or for players that he could buy,” Sutton said.

“This comes down purely to ambition. Whether or not there is that ambition to manage in the English Premier League. It’s not really about Celtic. If that ambition really does burn within him, Spurs would offer an incredible chance at this stage of his managerial career.

“Postecoglou wants to make a mark in the Champions League. But what sort of a mark can he make at Celtic as opposed to in London?”

Spurs troubles will not deter Postecoglou

Sutton is adamant that there are limits as to how far Postecoglou can take Celtic.

“We have all spoken at length about how the finances of the game are making it impossible for Scottish clubs to compete against the elite. Contrast that with Spurs,” he added.

“They were in a Champions League Final four years ago. That’s the level they can reach. Even if it looks a fair way back to those standards right at this moment in time for them, it is within their reach to go out and go toe to toe with the giants of Europe. It’s been shown as recently as that 2019 final against Liverpool.”

Sutton also reckons the current troubles at Tottenham will not even be enough to dissuade Postecoglou from taking the job.

“There are plenty of people lining up to say that Spurs are a shambles and why would he go. To be honest, I’m also of the opinion that Spurs are a bit of a basket case at the moment. But you could hardly say Celtic were in spectacular shape when he walked in the front door.

“Challenges seem to inspire the guy. That was certainly the vibe that came off him the day he was unveiled in Glasgow. And that’s what he has done ever since.”

Explaning why he will find the job hard to resist, Sutton had a warning to Celtic.

“This is one of the so-called big six down in England. One of the really massive clubs playing in an incredible new stadium. It’s just waiting to be lit up by someone.”

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