The three managerial vacancies are expected to be filled this week, with Tottenham, Crystal Palace, and Everton all close to appointing their respective managers. Spurs are likely to bring in Nuno Espirito Santo, barring another late collapse.
Tottenham Hotspur have ramped up their pursuit of a manager with the arrival of new sporting director, Fabio Paratici. Spurs are closing in on former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo, following their previous failed attempts to bring in Antonio Conte, Paulo Fonseca, and Gennaro Gattuso.
Everton, meanwhile, are expected to appoint Rafa Benitez – a decision which could be seen as highly controversial in Merseyside due to his past links with Liverpool.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Spurs are finalizing the contract details before presenting it to Nuno, who is open to the job opportunity. The Portuguese tactician has been without a club since leaving Wolves at the end of the previous season, a month after Spurs relieved their manager – Jose Mourinho – of his duties. The North London club has since had an approach rebuffed by Conte, while it has rejected the chance of bringing Fonseca or Gattuso on board.
Everton, too, are likely to get a new manager in the coming days, if not weeks. The Toffees were shocked by Carlo Ancelotti’s sudden departure to Real Madrid and have since pursued various targets.
Reports claim that the Everton hierarchy has set their sights on former Liverpool manager Benitez, with the Spaniard already in place to take over as the new boss. Benitez is likely to sign a two-year contract with the club, which is bound to anger both the Red and Blue halves of Merseyside.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are expected to appoint Arsenal legend – and Invincible – Patrick Vieria in place of the retired Roy Hodgson. Palace were previously in talks with Lucien Favre, only for those talks to break down right at the end. Vieira, who has coached New York City FC and OGC Nice in the past, is now the favorite to take over at Selhurst Park.
