Roger Schmidt emerges as a contender to replace Antonio Conte should the current Tottenham boss decide against a renewal.
According to Rudy Galetti, Tottenham are keeping their options open regarding Antonio Conte’s future and have names on their shortlist of potential replacements should the Italian depart. The former Inter Milan and Juventus manager’s future remains doubtful in north London, and Roger Schmidt has emerged as a name on the list.
Antonio Conte has guided Tottenham to their best-ever start to a Premier League season. After 13 games and 26 points to their name, they remain third behind Arsenal and Manchester City.
Tottenham’s primary objective is to renew the Italian’s contract along with Harry Kane. However, there are considerable doubts over the duo’s future, especially Conte. The former Chelsea and Inter Milan manager has yet to reaffirm his stance to stay at the club long-term publicly.
Media reports insist he is stalling on a new deal and waiting on potential offers from Real Madrid or PSG. While those are possibilities, Tottenham have spent plenty in the two windows Conte has preceded. Last summer, they splashed around £150 million on several players based on Conte’s specifications.
Spurs are reportedly willing to offer massive transfer funds to Conte if he renews while significantly raising his salary to make him one of the highest-paid managers in the Premier League. Yet, Conte is not showing signs of an imminent renewal, and there are fears he might depart.
For now, his current deal expires in 2023. Reports suggest Spurs have the option to extend it by another year. Yet, they might look at alternatives for the long term. Daniel Levy wants continuity and could look at former manager Mauricio Pochettino as a potential replacement.
Other names are on the list, including Roger Schmidt’s. The current Benfica boss has attracted plenty of praise for his style of football. The German’s fluid style has seen the Portuguese club score plenty of goals and finish as winners in their Champions League group, consisting of Juventus and PSG.
Tottenham are keeping tabs on the 55-year-old German manager’s progress. They could target him as a replacement for Conte if the Italian fails to commit his future in north London.
Schmidt’s style is different from that of any other manager linked with the job, including Conte. The 55-year-old German plays a different brand of football that would appease the fans. Many have grown frustrated with Conte’s pragmatic style.
However, Spurs will prioritise holding on to Conte for the longer term. If they don’t, an imminent move for Schmidt, at the end of the season could materialise.
Then back to Pochettino after Schmidt eh.