All in on Tuchel!: Why Tottenham MUST target ex-Chelsea boss to replace Conte

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 21 Mar 2023 11:12 GMT
• 3 min read

The Antonio Conte experiment is set to end in dramatic style this week, with Tottenham preparing to sack their manager after his explosive interview calling out the club.

Conte launched an astonishing attack on his ‘selfish’ players and Tottenham’s poor trophy record under chairman Daniel Levy after Spurs gave up a two-goal lead late on to draw 3-3 to bottom side Southampton.

The result leaves Tottenham desperately clinging onto the top four, while Conte’s deal – due to expire at the end of the season – is set to be terminated by Levy in the coming days, according to The Telegraph.

LOSERS!: Conte in extraordinary rant at Tottenham and Levy

Conte’s appointment in November 2021 was expected to elevate Tottenham to the next level by contending for trophies and the Premier League title, however, despite some promising signs, Spurs are set for a 15th year without silverware after their recent Champions League exit.

The situation marks yet another failed high-profile appointment by Spurs, having made a similar move when Jose Mourinho replaced Mauricio Pochettino in 2019 and the club will now be searching for a fourth manager in four years over the upcoming international break.

Pochettino is the frontrunner for a return to Tottenham, while ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is also available, and the German may represent one last chance for Levy to show he can work with talented managers instead of wasting another opportunity and potentially proving Conte’s words right.

Spurs and Levy enduring déjà vu with Conte downfall

Tottenham were described by some as having ‘won’ the transfer window in the summer, having brought in the likes of Ivan Perisic, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison, but Conte has been reluctant to start his new players and has hinted that some deals were made by the club rather than him.

Mourinho also had complaints about Levy’s management of Spurs, while Pochettino left Tottenham after the team’s regression following a full calendar year without a single signing being made.

While performances under all the managers declined to a point where they must share the blame with Levy, the Spurs chief has ultimately seen relationships prematurely break with all his big name hirings, having initially brought them in with much expectation and hope.

NEXT MAN UP: Outlining the potential replacements for Conte at Tottenham

Conte’s tenure, similar to Mourinho’s, was full of unhealthy dynamics and a toxic decline, indicating that the club may have been left with no choice, but there is now an opportunity for Levy and Tottenham to redeem themselves, having made the proactive move to sack the manager early instead of letting him see out the remainder of the season.

The decision is also pivotal for the future of Harry Kane, who only agreed to remain at Tottenham after the hiring of an elite manager in Conte, and is now heading into the final year of his contract, with the club no closer to proving their ability to challenge for trophies.

With a Champions League-winning manager in Tuchel on the market and reportedly open to talks, the pressure is on Levy to act quickly and take one final roll of the dice on talent, or to heed Conte’s words about where the problem at Tottenham truly lies.