Tottenham Identify Leipzig Boss Nagelsmann As Mourinho Replacement

Tottenham Hotspur have made RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann their preferred candidate to replace sacked Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho was sacked on Monday morning, just six days before Spurs face Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.

Sportsmail has reported a series of stories since February indicating Mourinho was facing losing his job following a largely disappointing season.

Indeed, Spurs have been preparing for Mourinho’s departure for a number of weeks with Nagelsmann now understood to be aware of the club’s interest in him.

Intriguingly, the German is said to be open to joining Spurs this summer which should encourage chairman Daniel Levy.

However, there is growing skepticism about Spurs’ chances of landing the highly-rated 33-year-old.

Naglesmann still has two years to run on his contract at Red Bull, meaning it could cost Spurs up to £10million to release him from his contract.

Given his emergence as one of the most highly regarded managers in Europe, he will demand a significant rise on his current wages, which are understood to be in the region of £5million a year.

That all equates to an expensive appointment for Levy, who is working to a very tight budget due to the financial impact of Covid, though the potential riches to be earned in the European Super League would certainly help pay for Nagelsmann’s appointment.

But in a further complication, Nagelsmann will be a prime target to replace outgoing Bayern Munich boss Hans Flick this summer – a prospect Spurs chiefs are concerned about.

All that leaves Tottenham’s interest in the German coach in the balance, with Spurs already looking at alternatives.