Tottenham Hotspur are no longer in talks with Antonio Conte over extending his contract beyond this season.
Conte took over from Nuno Espirito Santo midway through last season and managed to guide Spurs into the Champions League at the first time of asking, before investing heavily in the squad last summer. The Italian has seemed bristly, however, with the press in the last year about walking away from the club if they don't match his ambition.
With his contract coming to a conclusion at the end of the campaign, there was an expectation that Tottenham would attempt to keep the serial winner in north London – but now one renowned Italian journalist has said a new deal is a long way off, as both the club and Conte focus on the immediate future.
“Antonio Conte and Tottenham are not talking anymore about the renewal of the contract because Antonio is focused 100% on the matches and on his family,” Gianluca Di Marzio told soccernews.nl.
“I don't think he will renew the contract, but it's a prediction.”
Mauricio Pochettino, who managed Tottenham prior to Jose Mourinho, has been touted for a potential return. Di Marzio has stated that the Argentine is a more likely candidate than his countryman Diego Simeone, who has also been linked with Premier League moves, since he is leaving Atletico Madrid at the end of the season.
“I think Pochettino can be the right successor of Antonio Conte, just because he knows everything about the Tottenham world, so he doesn't need time to adjust into the club and in the mentality of the club,” Di Marzio said.
“For Diego Simone, I don't think his defensive type of playing would be for the Tottenham fans. They want a team that will attack and a team that tries to be spectacular with all these offensive players like.
“I think it's a difficult match for a Diego Simeone mentality.”
More Tottenham stories
Three England stars are on the radar for Spurs. Tottenham have been linked with a shock swoop for Harry Maguire, who could leave Manchester United this year. James Maddison could be about to leave Leicester, meanwhile, according to their manager Brendan Rodgers. Jordan Pickford has also been touted for a transfer.
Piero Hincapie is being linked with a big summer move and Pedro Porro could be on his way. In terms of outgoings, however, the big rumours are linking Harry Kane with an exit – this time to Real Madrid.
In other news, there have been rumours recently that PSG's Qatari ownership are interested in investing in Spurs.
