‘Dealing’ with ‘business guy’ Levy crucial for future Spurs boss as ex-defender warns Nagelsmann
Former Tottenham defender William Gallas says it is no surprise that Daniel Levy sacked outspoken head coach Antonio Conte.
Conte was relieved of his duties last week despite the fact Tottenham are in the top four of the Premier League.
During his final post-match press conference as head coach, the Italian tore the club a new one, slating chairman Daniel Levy as well as the players.
His contract was set to expire at the end of the season and a renewal seemed extremely unlikely, but his furious rant saw him leave the club prematurely.
Cristian Stellini will take on the role of interim head coach until the summer as Levy searches for Conte’s permanent successor.
Julian Nagelsmann is linked with the job after Bayern Munich relieved him of his duties last week, while ex-Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi are also among the favourites.
The previous three managers – Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Conte – all adopted a very pragmatic, counter-attacking style, so fans are craving a more attack-minded appointment.
Convincing someone like Nagelsmann to join could be tough given the club’s lack of success this century.
Working with Levy has proven to be very difficult for basically every manager he has appointed, and ex-Spurs man Gallas thinks this will be the biggest issue for whoever comes in.
“Knowing Daniel Levy, I am not really surprised that Antonio Conte has left the club,” Gallas told Genting Casino.
“In football you have to be diplomatic, and it can end in parting ways if you say what you think.
“I personally feel that many people will have agreed with much of what Antonio Conte said after the draw at Southampton, including myself.”
Gallas claimed that Spurs “have to find a manager that can deal with Daniel Levy” when asked the size of the rebuild job in north London.
The former Arsenal captain continued: “The next manager that goes into Tottenham has to accept the situation at the club and, I wonder if the very top managers will.
“I’m not talking about money, I’m talking about the squad he will give to the next manager.
“Levy will say ‘that is the squad you will have this season, deal with it’.
“If Tottenham appoint a big manager, he will know after three training sessions that he needs better players. It is that simple.
“Some managers might think, ‘OK, I’m going to deal with Daniel Levy’.
“Daniel Levy is a business guy, so that is the first thing the next manager of Tottenham needs to know.”
Gallas says he is not feeling confident about Spurs’ chances of finishing in the top four of the Premier League following the sacking of Conte.
He said: ”Now I feel Tottenham could be in trouble in terms of qualifying for the Champions league. We will see if Daniel was right come the end of the season.”
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