Next Tottenham manager: Levy roused by Man Utd legend as Fabrizio Romano sets record straight

Ruud van Nistelrooy is reportedly in the running to become the next Tottenham manager, with Daniel Levy now being presented with a clear route to the 46-year-old should he decide to make a move.

The north London giants are getting increasingly desperate in their hunt to appoint their next boss. A number of high-profile candidates have seemingly ruled themselves out of the equation, with Arne Slot the latest to snub their advances this week.

Spurs had been hopeful of striking a deal for the recently-crowned Eredivisie title-winner, with a compensation fee of around €20m being discussed.

However, in a brutally honest interview, Slot has now come clean on his reasons for sticking with Feyenoord.

And having also seen approaches for the likes of Julian Naglesmann, Xabi Alonso and Vincent Kompany fail, Levy is finding the vacancy far harder to fill than ever imagined.

However, he still has a few candidates in mind and some very viable options are still presenting themselves.

To that end, the likes of Graham Potter, Luis Enrique and Luciano Spalletti have all this week been touted as contenders.

Potter of course has Premier League experience with Brighton and Chelsea. And Enrique and Spalletti are title-winning coaches themselves; the latter with Napoli this season.

But the latest reports claim a candidate who boasts successive title triumphs is now Levy’s No 1 target.

To that end, the man in question has opened up on the possibilities of a move south of the border.

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Ruud van Nistelrooy explains PSV exit

Now a new name appears to have entered the thinking of Levy is the form of Van Nistelrooy.

The legendary Manchester United goal poacher is without a club, having this week quit as PSV Eindhoven boss.

Given his status, reports claim Levy could look into the possibility of interviewing the 46-year-old over the Tottenham vacancy.

Coming clean on his exit at PSV, Van Nistelrooy has spoken of his sadness.

“Ten years PSV, what a wonderful ride! I was allowed to help youth players with great colleagues at the academy, so that they could make the step to Jong PSV, PSV 1 or to professional football at another club. Countless players that I now proudly watch in professional football, from KKD, Eredivisie, PSV 1 and major leagues in Europe.

“For five years I gained experience as an assistant trainer and striker trainer while I obtained my diplomas in the meantime. This was followed by three years as head coach at U19 and one year at Jong PSV. And then the ultimate: becoming the head coach of PSV 1. Winning prizes for this wonderful club with great supporters.

“Thank you for your unwavering support everywhere we played! PSV will always be in my heart and I will always support the club and the team.”

Next Tottenham manager: Fabrizio Romano has his say

Assessing his prospects of becoming Tottenham manager, though, Fabrizio Romano has moved to quell claims he’s in contention.

“To be honest, I have never heard his name on Tottenham’s list,” he told the House of Champions podcast.

“So I’m not sure they will be going for Ruud van Nistelrooy. At Tottenham now it is busy after the Arne Slot story. They now have to find a new manager.

“They will take a few days to explore a few other options.”

While Van Nistelrooy is a free agent, he would surely not prove a popular choice among Spurs fans. Just one year’s experience at an elite level is not enough experience to handle a job as big as Tottenham and surely Levy will know there are better options out.

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