JULIAN NAGELSMANN is Tottenham’s leading candidate to become their next manager, according to reports.
But Spurs face a huge roadblock in their pursuit of the ex-Bayern Munich man as he is proving an expensive option.
Nagelsmann, 35, who has reportedly ruled himself out of the Chelsea vacancy, was sacked by the German champions last month – although his contract has not been terminated.
It means he is essentially on gardening leave and is still receiving his £10.6million-a-year salary from the Bundesliga giants.
Joining from RB Leipzig in 2021, he still has three years left on his contract with Bayern.
So Tottenham’s acquisition of Nagelsmann would have to involve them paying Bayern compensation in order for his existing contract to be terminated.
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According to The Telegraph, there is a “limit” to the amount of compensation Spurs are prepared to pay Bayern.
And if he is deemed too pricey, they could look to alternatives on their four-man shortlist.
Celtic’s Ange Postecoglu, ex-Barcelona boss Luis Enrique, Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and Feyenoord’s Arne Slot have all been linked.
But one of them is now understood to have been taken off as Spurs whittle their shortlist down to just four candidates including Nagelsmann.
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Spurs’ managerial search comes amid turmoil at the club.
A 6-1 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday ended interim head coach Cristian Stellini’s time in charge.
He had been in the hot seat for just four games after assuming the role following the sacking of Antonio Conte.
Now Ryan Mason has returned to the position until the end of the season – a role he first took back in 2021 after Jose Mourinho was dismissed.
Tottenham sit seventh in the Premier League table as they prepare to host Manchester United on Thursday evening.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
