TOTTENHAM have called off their pursuit of Antonio Conte due to concerns over Harry Kane, money and ambition.
However, Fabio Paratici will be heading to White Hart Lane as the club’s new director of football.
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As SunSport revealed last night, talks between Tottenham and Conte broke down – with both parties far apart on a number of important issues, including his £15million-a-year salary demands.
The Italian, 51, also wanted a massive transfer budget, insisting he could not bring silverware to N17 without a squad overhaul and expensive quality signings.
But according to The Telegraph, further differences arose and Spurs ended negotiations.
Spurs could not guarantee Kane will be at the club next season and hold concerns about Conte failing to give young players such as Oliver Skipp and Ryan Sessegnon chances.
Star-man Kane told his boyhood club he wants to leave as his wait for a first piece of major silverware carries on.
He and the other players were keen on the idea of Conte coming in but this is another blow in Spurs’ hopes of holding on to the striker.
The two Manchester clubs and Chelsea all hope to make moves to land the England captain this summer.
On the other side, Conte is reportedly unconvinced the team is ready to challenge for trophies and wanted to bring several members of his backroom staff with him.
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But given the current financial climate, Tottenham believed the demands to bring a reported four coaches was ‘unrealistic’.
Speaking to DAZN, Conte said: “I would like to have more experiences abroad.
“I think that I am not someone who is happy with just a comfortable situation. I always chose the most difficult situation instead.
“As a player, I won everything it was possible to win, but I also lost a great deal.
“When you lose, it leaves within you the desire not to experience that again, so you do everything to transmit that to your players when you are a coach. It all comes from your scars and wanting to avoid getting more.”
It means Spurs may have to continue their search for a new manager elsewhere.
Mauricio Pochettino was open to the idea but progress has stalled on his return while Zinedine Zidane, Rafa Benitez, Erik ten Hag, Roberto Martinez and Graham Potter’s names have all been linked.
Despite the lack of progress with appointing a new manager, Paritici’s arrival is imminent.
He quit as sporting director at Juventus yesterday and is poised to take on a similar role at Spurs.
The Italian’s first job could be to help secure Jose Mourinho’s replacement in North London before turning his attention to transfers.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
