Tottenham ready to appoint Paulo Fonseca as their new manager

Tottenham’s titanic eight-week search for a new manager is finally expected to reach a conclusion this week, with Paulo Fonseca reportedly set to be appointed as Jose Mourinho’s successor.

Fonseca, formerly a 75/1 outsider, was suddenly installed as the red-hot favourite for the North London job last Wednesday after his odds were slashed in the betting.

The market has now been suspended.

Fabrizio Romano today (Monday) reports in The Guardian that the former Roma manager has agreed to sign a two-year deal at Spurs - with an option for a third season - and could be unveiled on Wednesday.

Spurs, who have been linked with a catalogue of managers, had previously appeared close to securing the services of serial winner Antonio Conte, however talks collapsed and the club’s new director of football, Fabio Paratici, subsequently set his sights on Fonseca.

A month ago Daniel Levy expressed a desire to appoint “someone whose values reflect those of our great Club and return to playing football with the style for which we are known – free-flowing, attacking and entertaining.”

It’s now hoped that Fonseca fits the bill.

Fonseca, who last month was moved aside in favour of Jose Mourinho at Roma, employed an entertaining and attack-minded brand of football at the Italian club, although he ultimately fell short in securing Champions League football after his side finished 5th and 7th respectively during his two-year spell.

He has, however, lifted multiple trophies during his managerial career, including a hat-trick of league and cup doubles at Shakhtar Donetsk, and domestic silverware at Portugal sides Porto and Braga.

Over the weekend Tottenham released an interview on Twitter - see above - during which Levy was asked about the club’s lengthy search for a new manager, to which he replied:

"Some of the individuals that have been mentioned in the media that have apparently rejected us, we haven't even spoken to - until we make something official, that's the only thing the fans ought to believe in."

But, while Levy was reluctant to reveal that Fonseca is the man he’s eventually opted for, the latest indication is that he will be officially appointed in the next couple of days.

Tottenham can currently be backed at 6/1 to finish in the top-four next season, while they are a 40/1 shot for the Premier League title.