Former Roma coach Luis Enrique has been tipped to be the shock replacement for under fire Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas.
Enrique is now back in Spain managing Celta Vigo, who are struggling in La Liga. Enrique worked with Spurs director of football Franco Baldini in Rome.
The former Barcelona B coach had been tipped for the top job at the Nou Camp after Vilanova left but nothing ever materialised.
Enrique’s coaching career has been mixed but has always been committed to the Barcelona philosophy of playing attractive football.
The Spaniard spent three years coaching Barcelona B before he spent a season in Rome with Baldini.
They finished sixth in Serie A last season, but was sacked when Baldini quit to take up his new role at Spurs.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s Europa League tie in Tromso, Villas-Boas insisted: ‘I am immune right now. I used to read a lot into situations like this but not any more.
‘I am very indifferent. There is only one quarter that I come under pressure from, which is the press. I have the confidence of the board [and] of my players.’
Villas-Boas seems to have adopted a more cautious philosophy this season, and the result’s are not going his way.
That is just one reason why Enrique’s name is now freely in circulation as Tottenham consider their options.
Michael Laudrup, who has done an amazing job Swansea since taking over the then Premier League newcomers and turning them into a solid team. His philosophy also fits the criteria of the Tottenham board.
Villas-Boas is especially under fire after the 6-0 mauling at Manchester City. The Portuguese manager needs to see his team perform better on Thursday and in the game at home to Manchester United on Sunday.
Principal shareholder Joe Lewis and chairman Daniel Levy have become increasingly worried at the sight of their club sliding down the table, finding themselves in ninth place after Sunday’s defeat.
Despite the sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid in the summer for a world-record fee, Lewis authorised a massive summer spending spree in an attempt to clinch the title, Tottenham’s new signings have yet to justify their price tags.
By Rory Whitelaw
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