Tottenham have held talks with former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo over the vacant manager’s position at the club.
The Portuguese coach, 47, is the latest person Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has turned to after seeing discussions break down with Paulo Fonseca last week and Gennaro Gattuso ruled out.
Espirito Santo has also been considered at Crystal Palace and Everton this summer following his departure at Molineux after four years at the club where he led them into the Premier League and took them into Europe.
It is understood talks with Spurs involved his style of play but also touched on Harry Kane’s future and Son Heung-min’s new contract.
Spurs went back to their original shortlist of options after Fonseca and Gattuso were ruled out last week. Gattuso was in the frame for the job after Spurs pulled out of the race for Fonseca but his potential appointment was met with fierce criticism from fans.
Gattuso was the fifth head coach considered by Levy but negotiations previously collapsed with Mauricio Pochettino and Antonio Conte, while Erik ten Hag signed a new contract Ajax.
Other managers admired at Spurs include Rangers boss Steven Gerrard, Italy coach Roberto Mancini – who is currently at the European Championship – and Brighton’s Graham Potter.
Ryan Mason took charge of the final matches of the season following Jose Mourinho’s dismissal two months ago. After a return for Pochettino was not possible and talks broke down with Conte, Fonseca was on the verge of taking charge until Spurs went back to square one.
The Portuguese coach had verbally agreed to take over and was left “shocked and very disappointed” by Spurs’ decision, according to sources. Spurs had gone as far to prepare Fonseca’s contract before the plug was pulled.
Spurs’ new sporting director Fabio Paratici has looked at coaches from Italy and Portugal since his arrival and while Nuno has been in the Premier League, he could work in the club’s structure.