Tottenham manager latest: Nagelsmann move hits crippling issue as Levy considers three alternatives
A Tottenham move for Julian Nagelsmann has hit a ‘significant stumbling block’ and a major compromise from Daniel Levy is required, per a report.
Tottenham are once again on the hunt for a new permanent manager this summer. Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte have all come and gone since the Mauricio Pochettino era. Ryan Mason has taken temporary charge after relieving the sacked Cristian Stellini who himself was only an interim appointment.
Former Bayern boss, Julian Nagelsmann has emerged as the likeliest contender to take the reins in north London. The 35-year-old German recently pulled out of the race to become the next Chelsea manager.
TEAMtalk recently learned why Nagelsmann rejected the Blues, while former Man Utd boss, Ralf Rangnick, gave Nagelsmann to Tottenham the thumbs up.
However, according to a troubling report from the Telegraph, appointing Nagelsmann is more difficult than first thought.
Their reporter, Jason Burt, confirmed Nagelsmann is Tottenham’s preferred candidate. However, the cost of appointing him could scupper the move.
Nagelsmann’s prior deal at Bayern did not contain a termination clause. As such, he’s effectively on ‘gardening leave’ and is still being paid by Bayern. His annual salary is a hefty €12m (£10.6m) and his deal has another three years to run.
Bayern are due compensation if Nagelsmann joins another club this season. In the event Bayern terminate his deal, Nagelsmann would ‘expect compensation’ and Bayern would seemingly turn to Tottenham to foot the bill.
Burt then states the whole scenario is thus far ‘proving too expensive for Spurs’. The club have set a limit on how much they’ll pay and Bayern are tipped to dig their heels in when it comes to the financials.
A compromise is therefore required before further progress can be made. That could come in many forms including Tottenham stumping up the cash, Bayern relaxing their stance or Nagelsmann agreeing to overlook what he’s owed.
But if no party is willing to compromise, Tottenham will be forced to walk away and explore a deal with an alternative target.
To that end, the Telegraph report chairman Daniel Levy has drawn up a four-man shortlist.
Nagelsmann tops the list, and while the other three managers aren’t yet confirmed, the Telegraph speculate at who they might be.
Burt listed Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou, Spaniard Luis Enrique, Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and Arne Slot of Feyenoord as possible candidates.
