Nuno Espirito Santo leading contender to be named new Tottenham manager
By Ross Jackson
Former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo has emerged as the favourite to be named the new Tottenham boss as the protracted search goes on.
Spurs have been on the hunt for a new man at the helm for what seems like an eternity, with numerous candidates falling by the wayside for various different reasons.
Former Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici was recently announced as the club's general manager, though the Italian's arrival has done little to speed up the recruitment process after talks with Paulo Fonseca and then Gennaro Gattuso broke down.
Nuno left Wolves at the end of last season having enjoyed four impressive seasons at Molineux, and the Daily Mail now report that he's emerged as the frontrunner to be named the new Spurs boss.
The Tottenham hierarchy are currently understood to be pondering the appointment of the former Wolves boss, though Brighton manager Graham Potter is also under consideration.
Tottenham director of technical performance Steve Hitchen is keen for the club to appoint an English manager following Jose Mourinho's disastrous reign at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but Nuno's experience in England means he's currently seen as the next best option.
Nuno had been expected to return to Portugal to be with his family but the prospect of being given the chance to manage one of England's top clubs is something he's willing to consider.
With Levy and his staff pondering the pros and cons of a move for the 47-year-old, one of the concerns to have been expressed was Wolves' poor finish to the 2020/21 season.
The Portuguese tactician led his side to back-to-back seventh-placed finishes in their first two seasons back in the Premier League, but his final season at the club saw them finish in a disappointing 13th after just three wins from their final 13 games.
Those championing a move for Nuno have pinpointed the loss of Raul Jimenez to injury and the sale of Diogo Jota as reasons behind their slump, and with discussions ongoing it seems Nuno is - for now - their preferred choice.