Tottenham chiefs clash with Daniel Levy over Antonio Conte replacement

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Senior Tottenham Hotspur chiefs feel it would be ‘unwise’ to name Mauricio Pochettino as their next manager if Antonio Conte leaves. Yet the Argentine is on Daniel Levy’s shortlist.

That is according to Dean Jones, who reports that Pochettino returning to Tottenham over the summer interests Levy. The Spurs chairman is considering potential candidates for the helm amid the uncertainty around Conte. But a change in head coach this term is unlikely.

Conte is due to return to north London this week after recovering from gallbladder surgery in Italy. Yet the 53-year-old’s long-term future remains a doubt with his contract set to end this June. While Tottenham chiefs now feel it is feasible that they part ways in the summer.

An early separation is very unlikely, though, as Conte would want to leave Tottenham on a high. They are still competing for a Premier League top-four finish, visit Sheffield United in the FA Cup this Wednesday and host AC Milan in the Champions League next Wednesday.

Pochettino being out of work after Paris Saint-Germain sacked the former Tottenham boss interests Levy as he considers Conte’s replacement. Spurs fired the Argentine in November 2019, just five months after the 50-year-old led them to their first Champions League final.

Tottenham chiefs clash with Levy over Pochettino replacing Conte as their manager

But while Levy is open to Pochettino returning, some senior Tottenham chiefs feel it would be ‘unwise’ to appoint him as their next manager if Conte does leave. They feel it would be wrong to return to the set-up the Argentine established through his five years at the helm.

Levy was a huge advocate for Pochettino staying at Tottenham during his spell at the helm, as well. The Sun reported in January 2019 that Levy would reject offers reaching £50m for the head coach. He was even prepared to give the manager the final say on their transfers.

It was also Levy who convinced Pochettino to sign a new contract as Tottenham’s manager in May 2018. He also told the Evening Standard in December 2019: “[Sacking Pochettino] is not something I ever wanted. Personally, it was incredibly difficult.”