sport news Tottenham are at yet another crossroads with chairman Daniel Levy facing a ... trends now
Tottenham find themselves at yet another crossroads with the futures of their biggest names still unclear. There was the hope that Antonio Conte would bring the glory days back to White Hart Lane appear to have just been a pipe dream.
The Italian was recruited on a big-money deal to help Spurs challenge for major honours but a tough spell both on and off the pitch has seen Conte linked with the exit this summer when his contract expires.
It leaves Spurs chairman Daniel Levy with the task of finding his successor and yet another costly rebuild after another failed appointment.
While Conte brought Champions League nights back to north London following their brilliant finish to last season, their disappointing exit from the FA Cup at the hands of Sheffield United last week all but confirmed what looks to be another trophyless campaign for the club.
With the club out of the title race – and losing their grip on their top-four spot – Spurs' only hope of silverware comes in the Champions League.
Antonio Conte (left) and Harry Kane (right) have been linked with the exit at Tottenham
Chairman Daniel Levy is facing a major rebuild should some of the biggest names leave
While they only trail 1-0 to a under-performing AC Milan side after the first leg at San Siro, a last-16 exit would be bitterly disappointing for the squad and could spell the end for several big names at the club.
One of those is Conte, who reportedly has his sights set on a return to Italy once his Spurs contract expires this summer.
According to The Times, the weeks that he's spent recuperating back home in Italy following his gallbladder surgery have only heightened his desire to manage back in the Serie A, with a number of personal losses also reaffirming his need to be closer to his family.
After contract negotiations broke down between the club and Italian after Christmas, it now looks set that Conte will move on and Spurs will once again be searching for their next boss.
Many names have been mooted, with fan favourite Mauricio Pochettino being linked with his return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where he produced a consistent top four side that often competed – but ultimately fell short – for titles.
He is adored by the fans but many Spurs fans believe his return is premature.
Another candidate linked with succeeding Conte is Thomas Tuchel.
The pair nearly came to blows after Spurs 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this season, with Conte accused of not looking his German counterpart in the eyes as they shook hands on the pitch.
But while Tuchel has had plenty of success at every club he had managed, it would be another Chelsea manager that Spurs will have turned to – and so far, that has guaranteed little to no success.
Former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino (pictured) has been linked with a return
Ex-Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has also been linked with succeeding Conte should he leave
There is a lot of uncertainty around the manager and the same can be said for their talismanic striker, Harry Kane.
Like every summer before this year's, Kane has been linked with a move away from Tottenham. Understandable, given he's arguably one of the best No 9s
