Tottenham Hotspur could have hired Roberto Martinez instead of Nuno Espirito Santo this summer for just £1.5m, after Daniel Levy reportedly held talks with the Belgium manager.
Levy carried out a lengthy search for Jose Mourinho’s permanent successor after firing the Portuguese in April. Several candidates came and went before the Spurs Chairman hired Nuno in June, with one being former Everton boss Martinez.
That’s according to Sky Sports, who claimed Levy met with Martinez back in May to discuss taking charge at Tottenham. Sky added, via the Daily Mail, the Spaniard also told friends he was looking forward to returning to club management.
Martinez ultimately did not take over in north London and led Belgium to the Euro 2020 quarter-final, losing to Italy. He is now in the running to potentially replace Ronald Koeman at Barcelona, and intriguing details have come to light.
According to Sport, Martinez is the best-placed coach to replace Koeman at the Camp Nou if Joan Laporta makes changes. The 48-year-old can even be freed from his Belgium deal for just €1.8m (£1.5m) through a unilateral release clause.
Martinez can pay the sum at any point if he receives a tempting enough offer to walk away. Barcelona would be liable for the fee if they elect to pursue the 2013 FA Cup winning coach with Wigan. While they would also owe Koeman €6m (£5m) if they fire the 58-year-old.
Levy pulled the plug on appointing Antonio Conte as Mourinho’s replacement partly down to the fees associated. The Sun claimed the Italian wanted a £15m-a-year contract plus a £100m transfer war chest. Tottenham would have also owed Brighton £15m had they pursued Graham Potter, per The Sun. But baulked at the fee and appointed Nuno.
Should Levy have hired Martinez over Nuno as Tottenham manager?
Nuno’s tenure at Tottenham started well to suggest Levy made the right decision favouring the Portuguese over Martinez. Spurs won each of their first three fixtures to the Premier League season. But results have dropped off the pace with back-to-back 3-0 defeats.
The north Londoners also drew 2-2 with Stade Rennes on the opening night of the Europa Conference League last week. They will hope to get back winning when Nuno returns to Wolves on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup.
Bowing out of the EFL Cup could raise question marks over Levy’s decision to appoint Nuno over someone like Martinez. The Spaniard led Belgium deep into Euro 2020 this summer to earn the plaudits of pundits like Rio Ferdinand.
“I think they have played some really good football,” Ferdinand said on the BBC’s coverage of Belgium’s win over Finland. “With Martinez, I think he’s meticulous. The attention to detail. Tactically, he has got the set-up really well.”
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