Xabi Alonso clears latest hurdle to become Tottenham boss after Daniel Levy green light
Xabi Alonso has emerged as Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy’s top choice as manager and is now ready to pay the financial package to hire the Spaniard
Daniel Levy WILL pay for the sacking of Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Tottenham boss has identified the former Liverpool player as his first choice to fill the vacant role of Antonio Conte. And he’s resigned himself to paying for the privilege – leaving a successful job interview as the only stumbling block preventing the former Spain midfielder’s appointment.
Bayer Leverkusen’s continued involvement in the Europa League – they meet Jose Mourinho’s Roma in the first leg of a two-legged semi-final this week – has complicated any approach.
But an annual salary is understood to be the compensation needed to secure the 41-year-old’s services. Alonso himself has flattened any suggestion that he should take over in north London, but the wheels are in motion.
“Rumors are normal, but we still have a long way to go,” he said earlier this week. “That’s why I’ve been here 100 percent for the last few months. And for the next season I am also here 100 percent.”
However, that won’t happen before the end of the current campaign, leaving Ryan Mason on the ground. And the interim boss did no harm to his offer for the full-time job on Saturday, leading Spurs to all three points against Crystal Palace.
Mason sparked a reaction of sorts last weekend and although the spirited comeback at Liverpool ended in defeat it showed the dressing room was ready to dig in and fight.
And it was another battle against Palace, with Harry Kane’s 209th Premier League goal making the difference between the two sides. However, there is still a long way to go to land the permanent role as Levy makes plans for a date next month.
If Alonso doesn’t take over, Levy will turn to Feyenoord’s Arne Slot.
The Dutchman has given the Rotterdam club a huge boost – if results go well on Sunday they could even win the Eredivisie title. They have lost once in the league so far and three points at Excelsior could put them over the line.
But Levy will have to dig deeper if he wants the 44-year-old Dutchman – he’ll have to pay for the remaining two years of his contract.
And it’s similar with Julian Nagelsmann. The German may have been sacked by Bayern Munich but is effectively on gardening leave from the German giants – meaning a payout would be required to enlist his services as well.