Tottenham urged to name Spanish legend as successor to Antonio Conte as fans ‘would love the brand of football’
CHRIS SUTTON thinks he knows who should succeed Antonio Conte at Tottenham because of his style of football.
Conte, 53, parted ways with Spurs over the weekend after 16 months in charge.
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His departure came following a surprising rant about his players and the club following their 3-3 draw with Southampton before the international break.
Conte’s failure to deliver Tottenham their first trophy in 15 years was exacerbated by his conservative approach to the games.
A number of top managers have been touted for the role following his departure, including former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino and Julian Nagelsmann – recently sacked by Bayern Munich.
A permanent manager is expected to be appointed this summer as Cristian Stellini will lead the club until the end of the season.
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But Blackburn and Celtic legend Sutton believes former Barcelona and Spain head coach Luis Enrique would be the perfect antidote to the Conte diet.
Speaking to the Mail, he said: “I think what’s really important for Spurs was always a criticism of Conte, the mark of football was negative, since the start of the season, how many times have you Have you seen Spurs play an exciting brand of football.
“That’s why Luis Enrique ticks that box. I think Mauricio Pochettino is really interesting because I suspect a lot of Spurs fans love the idea of him coming back and that love affair of him having a second opportunity.
“But I suspect there are Spurs fans who may feel slightly irritated with the way he left and may not want to go back.”
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He then added: “I suspect this appointment will be about more than anything the brand of football and what Spurs fans demand.
“Then if the trophies don’t come, Daniel Levy can take it easy to say I give you what you want in terms of a brand of football, that’s the identity we’ve had since the 70s/80s and we want to come back to it.
“In terms of the brand of football, I think they would like Enrique.”
Enrique won the treble with Barcelona in 2015, leaving the club with two La Liga titles, three Copa del Reys and the Champions League.
He was sacked by Spain late last year after a semi-final exit to Italy at the Euros and a round of 16 loss to Morocco at the World Cup.
Nagelsmann is the bookmakers’ early favorite to take on the vacant Spurs role at the end of the season.
Pochettino and Enrique are other names in the frame, while other possible suitors Marco Silva, Ange Postecoglou, Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi all have jobs elsewhere.
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