Spurs have been searching for a new permanent manager after sacking Jose Mourinho in April; Mauricio Pochettino was in talks over a sensational return to the club; ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte now in talks after leaving Inter in May
Thursday 3 June 2021 07:47, UK
Tottenham are in talks with Antonio Conte over their vacant managerial role but there remains some distance between the two parties over his wage demands, according to Sky in Italy.
Fabio Paratici, who left Juventus last month and worked with Conte between 2011 and 2014, could also follow him to Spurs and become their new sporting director.
Spurs have been searching for a new permanent manager since sacking Jose Mourinho in April - Ryan Mason took temporary charge for the remainder of the season as the club finished seventh in the Premier League.
Last week it emerged Mauricio Pochettino was in talks with Spurs over a sensational return to the club after less than six months in charge of Paris Saint-Germain.
Now Conte, who left Inter last month just three weeks after steering the Italian club to their first Serie A title in 11 years, is in discussions regarding the Spurs job.
A potential appointment would mark a return to England for the 51-year-old three years after he left Chelsea, where he won both the Premier League and FA Cup during two seasons in charge.
Conte joined Chelsea after Euro 2016 having previously coached Italy for two years.
His three-year spell as Juventus boss from 2011 to 2014 saw him work with Paratici, who was the club's chief football officer.
Paratici joined Juve in 2010 and played a key role in the Turin club winning nine straight Serie A titles from 2012 to 2020.
Conte, a former Juve player, was in charge for the first three title triumphs, and he picked up a fourth Serie A winners' medal when guiding Inter to the Scudetto in 2020-21.
He left by mutual consent after agreeing a deal with the club's owners, which will see him paid €7m (£6m) for the final year of his contract.
Conte was embroiled in a dispute with Inter's owners after they proposed a downsizing of his squad.
Inter chairman Steven Zhang reportedly asked Conte to cut his wage bill by 15 to 20 per cent and potentially sell players worth up to £70m this summer.
Former Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara on Sky Sports News:
"He's a proven winner, he won the Premier League, he's won Serie A. I love the way he plays. His style. He plays 3-5-2, it's attacking and gets the best out of strikers.
"He's passionate. I love him as a manager, I think he's absolutely brilliant. If Spurs can get this one over the line it's a massive coup.
"I'd even go as far to say as he could convince Harry Kane to stay. Kane will love the way he plays.
"It shows real ambition from the club. I would give [Conte] whatever he wants."
In a rare interview last year, Conte discussed his title-winning season at Chelsea with Sky Sports News, where he spoke about the phasing out of then captain John Terry and his Stamford Bridge celebrations in the 4-0 win over Manchester United.
"I live my job in an intense way," Conte said. "Sometimes I show my passion and I want to share my happiness with the fans. I had an amazing relationship with Chelsea fans.
"That game was important for us because when you win 4-0 against a top team it's a boost because we understood very well that we could fight to win the league.
"This game gave us confidence and belief in ourselves and we created a fantastic relationship with our fans."
Chelsea won the title by seven points in 2016-17 - Spurs finished second that season under Pochettino.
