Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Next Tottenham manager: Spurs schedule meeting with increasingly keen candidate as release clause emerges

Ruben Amorim managing Sporting CP

Tottenham Hotspur will hold talks with Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim at the end of the season, according to a report from Portugal.

Spurs are currently searching for someone who can replace Ryan Mason on the touchline. The former midfielder is currently serving his second spell as their caretaker manager after Cristian Stellini was deemed to be an unsuitable successor to Antonio Conte after all.

Conte parted company with Tottenham in March after their relationship turned sour. Now, Spurs are back to square one in their search for the right manager to lead them.

There have been links with ex-Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann and Feyenoord coach Arne Slot, among others. Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is among the latest alternative suggestions as well. But Amorim also seems to be a strong contender for the job now.

According to Record, Tottenham are arranging a meeting with Amorim, which will take place after the end of the season so as not to distract him from his duties in Lisbon.

If they decide he is the man for the job, they could buy him out of his Sporting contract by paying his €20m release clause, which is in the region of £17.5m.

However, they might be able to negotiate a different compensation package with Sporting, from whom they already signed full-back Pedro Porro in January.

Indeed, that piece of business came after Tottenham came up against Sporting in the Champions League earlier in the season. Amorim’s side won in Lisbon before claiming a draw in north London.

Sporting went on to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League after finishing third in their group. They eliminated Tottenham’s north London rivals Arsenal along the way.

Tottenham turn to Amorim after Chelsea twist

In another cross-capital connection, Amorim held talks with Chelsea recently amid their own search for a new manager. But the Blues look likelier to appoint ex-Tottenham favourite, Mauricio Pochettino.

Therefore, the Tottenham vacancy might be the one for Amorim to fill. Although under contract with Sporting until 2026, he is warming to the idea of leaving the Lisbon outfit this summer.

After all, they have underachieved in the Portuguese top flight this season. With four games left, winning the title is mathematically impossible. Currently in fourth place and seven points behind third, Champions League qualification looks unlikely.

Tottenham have also slipped away from the chasing pack for a top-four finish in the Premier League. Regardless, they could represent the kind of new opportunity Amorim might be seeking.

Only 38 years old, the former Portugal midfielder is developing his reputation as a coach and it could lead to him competing for the Tottenham job.

But just as he spoke with Chelsea and hasn’t got the role, there is no guarantee that Tottenham will follow up their impending talks with an offer to Amorim. If he impresses in his interviews, though, he could be closely considered.

READ MORETottenham ‘keeping an eye’ on £50m Newcastle, Man Utd target as Levy prepares for squad revamp