Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui has indicated he turned down an approach from Tottenham Hotspur to stay in La Liga, speaking to Marca.
Quiet days are rarely found at Spurs.
And, typical of a managerial saga that has descended into farce, Tottenham’s long-running pursuit of Paulo Fonseca appears to have fallen through just as the white smoke threatened to billow into the north London skies.
According to respected Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, financial issues were at the root of the collapse, with the 49-year-old former Roma manager slipping through Daniel Levy’s grasp.
Perhaps we should have predicted this?
Lopetegui next for Tottenham after Fonseca collapse?
The rumours emerged last week suggesting Spurs were also looking at one-time Spain, Porto and Real Madrid coach Lopetegui at a time when the Fonseca deal appeared to be all but done.
Was this an indication that all was not well in the Fonseca camp? Perhaps.
Either way, it seems unlikely Lopetegui will now step into the breach with the 54-year-old obviously feeling he has unfinished business at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.
“Tottenham? I am where I want to be,” insists Lopetegui, who led Sevilla to yet another Europa League title in 2020. “I could have had options (to leave).
“Logically, we are very happy and content, with our heads focused on making Sevilla grow and making Sevilla competitive again.
“We’re focused on that, we’re not looking elsewhere. I still have a lot of objectives to achieve. The main one is to be able to constantly improve the team, and then the profession gives you different challenges.
“Now my dream is to make Sevilla better, more reliable and to respond to all the excitement of Sevilla fans.”
In truth, it’s hard to imagine the appointment of Lopetegui would have made the hairs stand on end in north London.
The Spaniard may have led Sevilla to a trophy – and a record points haul of 77 last season – but the football was certainly more functional than thrilling.
After a year-and-a-half under Jose Mourinho, Tottenham fans could be forgiven for demanding a bit of excitement.
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