Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League • England

Tottenham players turn back on Conte with plea made to worthy successor, but Levy has alternative target in mind

Tottenham Hotspur have identified Fulham manager Marco Silva as a potential replacement for Antonio Conte, according to reports. 

The Italian manager looks set to depart Spurs at the end of the season, as there is currently no suggestion that he will pen a contract extension.

If Silva does replace Conte, it will come as a major blow to Fulham, as the Portuguese coach has been a revelation at Craven Cottage.

Conte’s current deal at Tottenham is set to expire at the end of the current campaign. Daniel Levy has the option to extend his stay by a further 12 months, but it seems that there is currently zero appetite among the fanbase for him to do so.

Spurs crashed out of the Champions League with a whimper on Wednesday after being held to a disappointing 0-0 draw against AC Milan, after they lost 1-0 at the San Siro in the first leg.

Realistically, this was the last opportunity for the London club to win a trophy under Conte, so it seems likely Levy will look to secure a replacement as soon as possible.

Several managerial candidates have been mentioned in recent weeks, including former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, with the Spurs players allegedly ‘pleading’ with the club to reappoint the Argentine.

However, it now seems that Silva is high on the club’s shortlist, so Levy has a difficult decision to make over the next few months.

READ MORE: Liverpool, Tottenham ‘hugely keen’ on world-class star ‘almost certain’ to leave current club; Chelsea lagging behind in race

Daniel Levy eyes swoop for Marco Silva

This is according to Sky Sports News, who say ‘it is understood’ that Fulham boss Silva is one of Levy’s preferred candidates to replace Conte at the end of the season.

Arguably, the former Everton manager is a candidate for the Premier League Manager of the Season Award, with the Cottagers massively overperforming this term.

Fulham were only promoted from the Championship last season, so their primary aim was simply to avoid relegation.

However, they have well and truly confirmed their survival already, with the club currently sitting in an impressive seventh place in the league table – giving them an excellent chance of qualifying for European football next season.

Beyond his work in West London, Silva also has experience in winning silverware in the past, clinching a Greek Super League title with Olympiacos in 2016.

Therefore, with ample Premier League experience and the potential to bring a winning mentality to the Tottenham dressing room, it’s no surprise that Levy has identified him as a potential option.

Spurs’ players call for Pochettino return

However, as per another report from Sky Sportsthe Spurs players have an alternative in mind and would prefer Pochettino to make a stunning return.

They claim that several of the players, as well as some members of staff, have privately pleaded with Pochettino to return to the club where he’s still held in extremely high regard.

Indeed, Pochettino helped guide Spurs to four top-four finishes, as well as reaching the Champions League final in 2019, which they lost to Liverpool.

After leaving the Premier League, the highly-rated coach joined Paris Saint-Germain, where he helped the French giants to win one league title, as well as a Coupe de France, but ultimately fell short of winning the Champions League.

Now, Pochettino has been without a job since July 2022, so it is thought that he would be very keen to return to Tottenham next season.

While there is no immediate sign of change, with Conte set to be in the dugout for Spurs’ game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday, everything is pointing towards the Italian leaving the club at the end of the campaign, or potentially even sooner.

Indeed, it is a big statement for the Tottenham players to undermine their manager in this way and beg for him to be replaced, so there is every chance he could be sacked if results do not improve soon.

READ MORE: Man Utd to torpedo Tottenham plan by signing Prem ace who’ll oust unwelcome star for good