Tottenham Hotspur are back at square one in their increasingly chaotic managerial quest after deciding not to hire Gennaro Gattuso following a strong fan backlash, sources have told ESPN.
Spurs will now re-evaluate potential candidates - who sources have said still include Ajax's Erik ten Haag, despite he signed a contract extension until 2023 - after pursuing a deal with Gattuso, who signed a deal with Fiorentina on Thursday. Backed a deal to join. Just 23 days after his appointment was announced on July 1.
Gattuso's sudden availability was a contributing factor at Tottenham, ending long talks with Paulo Fonseca, a free agent who left Roma after his contract was not renewed.
Sources have told ESPN that there was a positive virtual meeting between chairman Daniel Levy and Fonseca. However, in the second meeting with Tottenham's incoming football managing director Fabio Paratici, there was less alignment in his vision of the club.
ESPN has also learned that Fonseca will have to pay €3 million ($3.6m) in tax if he wants to take a job outside Italy before the end of next month because of the country's laws regarding elite players. states, although it is not seen as a major obstacle to a deal.
In fact, Spurs got to send a contract - a two-year deal with the option of a third - to Fonseca on Thursday morning before Paratsi led the move to contact Gattuso.
Meanwhile, Fonesca was approached by Fiorentina to show her interest in Gattuso's successor, but chose to wait for Spurs to return. That is yet to happen until Friday afternoon after Spurs ended their interest in Gattuso.
The hashtag #NoToGattuso was trending on Twitter in the UK, while the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters Trust claimed they had infused emotion among fans to the club.
"We at the club can and do communicate the spirit of supporters to the decision makers and have done so clearly on this occasion," THST wrote in a statement.
Gattuso has previously made controversial comments about racism, women in football and gay marriage, while he was also involved in a violent clash with then Spurs coach Joe Jordan while playing for AC Milan in a 2011 Champions League match against Tottenham.
Talks with the 43-year-old are now over and Spurs are left to consider their next move in a pursuit that has taken an alarmingly long time since the sacking of Jose Mourinho on April 19.
Spurs were originally interested in talking to RB Leipzig's Julian Nagelsmann and Leicester City's Brendan Rodgers. But Nagelsmann opted to join Bayern Munich, while Rodgers has shown no interest in leaving Leicester, where he is also under contract until 2025.
Former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte was approached but an agreement could not be reached, while former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino was told about a possible return to the club, but sources have told ESPN that he has decided to leave Paris Saint-Germain. But not seriously considered.