5 managers who could replace Nuno Espirito Santo at Tottenham Hotspur

#3 Paulo Fonseca

AS Roma vs FC Crotone - Serie A

Paulo Fonseca is currently the bookie's favuorite for the Tottenham Hotspur job, right behind Antonio Conte. The former AS Roma manager currently finds himself without a club. Unlike the two preceding names on our list, Fonseca would fancy the managerial role at a big club like Tottenham Hotspur.

According to several news outlets in Italy and England, Daniel Levy pursued Fonseca at the beginning of the season. But the club pulled out after the appointment of managing director Fabio Paratici.

The Portuguese revealed in an interview that a deal had been agreed between the two parties. But Paratici pulled the plug, owing to concerns over Fonseca's attacking style of play.

However, Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly back in the market for Paulo Fonseca despite his limited experience in Europe's top five leagues. The 48-year-old has spent most of his managerial career in Portugal; he was in the Serie A for two years.

It remains to be seen if Fonseca can adapt to the demands and rigours of English football. But his attacking style makes him an ideal candidate for the Tottenham Hotspur job.

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#2 Sergio Conceicao

Atletico Madrid vs FC Porto: Group B - UEFA Champions League

Porto's current manager, Sergio Conceicao, is one of the hot favourites to replace his countryman, Nuno Espirito Santo, at Tottenham Hotspur.

Conceicao was appointed at the helm of Porto in 2017, and has since then led the club to five trophies. In his first three years at the club, Conceicao won the Primeira Liga twice, along with two Portuguese Super Cups and the Taca de Portugal title.

The 46-year-old was also one of the frontrunners for the Wolves job in the summer, but he missed out to Bruno Lage. Conceicao is considered by many to be one of the finest managers in the continent. He led Porto to a quarter-final finish in the 2020-21 Champions League, beating the likes of Juventus in their continental campaign.

Under Conceicao, Porto have consistently punched above their weight in Europe's premier competition. That makes him well suited to adjust to the demands and pressure of managing a big English club like Tottenham Hotspur.

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#1 Antonio Conte

FC Internazionale Milano vs Udinese Calcio - Serie A

A week ago, Antonio Conte was tipped to be the favourite to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford. As fate would have it, the Italian could well be on his way to North London after Tottenham Hotspur's 3-0 drubbing against Manchester United last weekend.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Fabrizio Romano and other reputed journalists, Conte is in the final stages of discussions with the Tottenham Hotspur board. The Italian was Daniel Levy's primary target in the summer, but Conte reportedly turned down the opportunity.

However, if reports are to be believed, the 52-year old has witnessed a change of heart. He is now close to finalising a deal with the North Londoners.

Antonio Conte has prior experience of working with Tottenham Hotspur managing director Fabio Paratici during his time at Juventus. There, they formed a formidable partnership to propel the Bianconneri to the zenith of Italian football. That could prove to be a deciding factor in convincing the Italian to come out of his managerial hiatus.

Conte is undeniably is one of the greatest managers of the past decade, having won multiple league titles in Italy and England. The Italian is a serial winner, and could deliver Tottenham's first major trophy in a long while.