Deja Vu, Tottenham Hotspur manager search has transfer rumor feel

What a week it has been for Tottenham fans as the lifecycle of hiring the next manager continues to rage on well over a month after Jose Mourinho was sacked. While Mourinho had no problem landing on his feet at AS Roma, Tottenham Hotspur is still on the search for a new manager. As this journey drags on, it is starting to both feel and look like one of those transfers that we think might happen only to be disappointed.

Is Tottenham getting a top candidate?

The answer to that question is simple, yes, assuming one of the three main names in contention – Antonio Conte, Erik ten Hag, and Mauricio Pochettino – gets the job. And while a couple of days ago the odds of this happening seemed good, things are slowing down and all the rumors circulating, are starting to look like that, rumors.

My preference as a fan would be for Antonio Conte, assuming the club backs him. That said, I would not be upset to see Pochettino walk back in and frankly would cheer for ten Hag as well.

The problem is that it is looking more and more likely that NONE of the three will be the manager. Instead of Daniel Levy and Tottenham getting their man, this is starting to feel like one of those long-term transfer rumors, that is just that a rumor.

Tottenham trying is nothing new right?

I know everyone knows exactly what I am talking about. It is that idea that hey we are going to sign Paulo Dybala. It is going to happen, just some image rights, but a done deal.

Or how about the time we were going to sign Bruno Fernandes. Fernandes wanted to come to Spurs and we got a Fernandes from Portugal, Gedson.

Then there was last summer, Jose Mourinho wanted Ruben Dias, most of the fans wanted Milan Škriniar. In the end, we got Joe Rodon who was not even eligible to play half the matches he should have.

The point is, this is nothing new with ENIC and Daniel Levy running Spurs. We get these rumors floating about that the team is going to do what they need to do and fans want them to do. Ultimately, however, the team falls short again and again. Whether it is signing Gedson, or Rodon, or just no one at all, the consistent rumors for top talent almost always lead to the same place, nowhere.

Now suddenly, we are to believe that three of the best, most sought-after coaches in the world, are suddenly hot for Daniel Levy and Levy is hot for them. Except now there are other teams in play for their services, serious teams, like Real Madrid, that will not wait and play games. Look at Juventus, they wasted no time in replacing Pirlo with Allegri, yet the Lilywhites still sit in neutral.

It is now or never for these big coaches

The bottom line is the longer this dance goes on the more it lessens the chances of Tottenham getting the man they really want. It would be so Levy to say he ‘tried’ to get Pochettino, and tried to get ten Hag, and tried to get Conte, but in the end, only Potter or maybe Santo would come. There are already reports that contact with Pochettino was denied by the Argentine’s team, suggesting the attempt was not that strong.

Of course, Tottenham could surprise us all and make a big announcement in the next 24 hours. However, my guess is if we do not hear that announcement, the big names will disappear, and once again, Spurs will be left holding the bag.