According to reports, Tottenham will seek talks with Julian Nagelsmann about a possible move to north London following his surprise dismissal by Bayern Munich.
The news broke late Thursday evening that the 35-year-old would be fired by the German champions, who have already lined up a replacement in Thomas Tuchel.
Nagelsmann was on vacation in Austria when he found out, and he was officially informed of his dismissal at a face-to-face meeting in Munich on Friday.
Bayern is only one point behind Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga table, which they face next week, and have won all eight of their Champions League matches this season, including against Barcelona, Inter, and PSG.
But Bayern’s hierarchy believe their hopes of winning the treble are boosted with Tuchel at the helm and felt they had to swoop now or risk seeing the ex-Chelsea boss move elsewhere.
Real Madrid and, indeed, Tottenham had both been linked with moves for the out-of-work German, with Spurs set to part company with Antonio Conte during the international break.
But Bayern’s decision has opened up an interesting opportunity for Daniel Levy, with The Telegraph reporting that the Spurs chairman is keen to speak to Nagelsmann about succeeding Conte.
Tottenham are long-time admirers of the former RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim manager and had wanted to appoint him in 2021 after they dismissed Jose Mourinho – though he went to Bayern instead.
Spurs will seek talks with Nagelsmann and sound out the possibility of the German taking over from Conte, though he could elect to take a short break from management before speaking to clubs and considering offers in the summer.
Nagelsmann is believed to have something of an affinity for Tottenham and is even said to have owned a replica shirt – although it is not clear why he came to support the side.
Tottenham feel he would be an ideal fit for the club, offering both pedigree and a project, while his attacking, front-foot football is in line with what fans want to see.
Conte, meanwhile, is still in Italy amid some degree of confusion over what will happen with the 53-year-old’s future.
He is yet to have been dismissed by the club, while Ryan Mason and Cristian Stellini have been taking training in his absence – though it is unclear what the situation will be for next weekend’s trip to face Everton.
