Paul Merson has written in The Daily Star that Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy should sack head coach Antonio Conte now and bring in Mauricio Pochettino as his replacement.
The former Arsenal star and Sky Sports pundit believes that Pochettino will get the Tottenham managerial role in the summer of 2023.
Merson thinks that it would be better for Spurs if they sack Conte now and get in Pochettino.
The Italian tactician is out of contract at Tottenham at the end of the season.
GiveMeSport have reported that Tottenham have to pay a compensation fee of £5 million to Conte if they sack him now.
The report has claimed that Tottenham chairman Levy wants to bring Pochettino, 51, back to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Paul Merson tells Tottenham Hotspur to bring in Mauricio Pochettino and sack Antonio Conte
Merson wrote: “Mauricio Pochettino is going to be appointed the manager of Tottenham in the summer, so why not get him now? There is no point messing about.
“What’s the point in keeping Antonio Conte, do you want to get in the top four or not?
“Spurs have just gone out of two competitions and it’s now been 15 years since their last trophy.”
The pundit added: “For me, Pochettino should come on board as soon as possible.
“He could lift the players in the race for fourth and it also gives him time to prepare for next season.
“It’s such a win-win as Conte no longer looks like he wants to be there anymore.”
Ain’t so easy
It is just not that easy to sack a manager and bring in a replacement.
First of all, Tottenham Hotspur need to be convinced that Mauricio Pochettino wants to come.
We do not know for sure if Levy has been told by Pochettino he is ready to come in now.
If Levy does not have a replacement already lined up, why would or should he sack Conte now, given that Tottenham are very much in the running for the Premier League top four?
Yes, Spurs lost against AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League, but, let’s admit it, Tottenham were never really going to win the competition.
Conte has not done much of note in the UEFA Champions League as a manager, and that was not going to change at Spurs.
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