Spurs are now looking for their 25th permanent manager since their 1991 FA Cup triumph, but who would be the best fit?
Irrespective of Tottenham being dumped out of the Champions League by AC Milan on March 8, the writing was already on the wall in terms of Antonio Conte's long-term future as manager of the club.
The Italian's contract in north London was due to run out at the end of the season, and with a top-four finish in the Premier League far from secure, fans had been growing increasingly tired of Conte's methods.
The Italian managed to hasten his departure by embarking on an extraordinary rant against chairman Daniel Levy and the club's lack of trophies in the modern era after Spurs' 3-3 draw with Southampton on March 18.
Tottenham waited a week before bringing the axe down on Conte, with his assistant Cristian Stellini stepping up to fill his position until the end of the season.
Who will they turn to replace Conte on a permanent basis in the summer? Is any manager capable of changing the defeatist culture that seems to run deep at a club that should really have a place among England's best given the huge resources and world-class infrastructure at its disposal?
There are plenty in the frame to give it a try, and GOAL is on hand to run down their credentials as Spurs open yet another new era…
Getty ImagesMauricio Pochettino
The man who came closest to transforming Spurs is first up on the list – Argentine tactician and current free agent Mauricio Pochettino.
Paris Saint-Germain took the decision to sack Pochettino after another failed Champions League campaign last summer, and he is now being linked with a sensational return to north London.
The 50-year-old guided Tottenham to League Cup and Champions League finals during his five-year stint in charge, along with one runners-up finish in the Premier League, before being relieved of his duties in November 2019.
He also now has the experience of managing three of the world's best players in the form of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, which might tempt Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to give him a second chance.
Tottenham have certainly gone downhill since Pochettino's departure, with Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Conte all failing to deliver the same levels of consistency, and a homecoming could provide a much-needed lift to an increasingly disillusioned fanbase.
AdvertisementGettyJulian Nagelsmann
Thomas Tuchel was considered the frontrunner to become Spurs' new boss only a few weeks ago, but it doesn't take very long for things to change dramatically in football.
The German was appointed as Bayern Munich's new manager this week, with Julian Nagelsmann sacked after just one-and-a-half seasons at the helm.
Irrespective of how well former Chelsea boss Tuchel does at the Allianz Arena, Bayern's decision to part ways with Nagelsmann was a harsh one considering how much the club still has to play for this season.
The reigning Bundesliga champions are one point off top spot and through to the quarter-finals of both the Champions League and DFB-Pokal – meaning Tuchel could end up with an unprecedented treble come May.
Nagelsmann would deserve huge credit for any amount of silverware Bayern end up with, but he may already have his eye on a new position in the Premier League.
It has been reported that the 35-year-old is on Spurs' radar, and he might fancy his chances of succeeding where so many other top managers have failed.
Nagelsmann's progressive tactics could be exactly what is needed to freshen things up at Tottenham after another dour campaign.
GettyLuis Enrique
The Barcelona legend is looking for work again after he was axed by Spain following their disappointing performance at the 2022 World Cup, where they were knocked out on penalties by surprise package Morocco at the last-16 stage.
It's his previous work with Barca that stands out on the managerial section of his CV, however, with Luis Enrique having steered the Liga giants to two Liga titles and the Champions League, winning six other trophies along the way, during a hugely successful stint between 2014 and 2017.
Like Conte, the Spaniard, who is, reports, at the top of sporting director Fabio Paratici's list of managerial targets, doesn't tolerate nonsense but whether he could ultimately be a success in the Premier League remains to be seen.
GettySteve Cooper
It has been reported that Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper is also a contender to succeed Conte, with the Welshman boasting a number of admirers in the Spurs boardroom.
The 43-year-old inspired Forest's successful promotion bid last season, and has made them competitive in their first season back in the Premier League after 23 years, despite having to manage a huge squad after a major summer overhaul.
Cooper has proven himself as an accomplished man-manager, and might be able to give Spurs' flops the kick up the backside they sorely need. He did, however, commit to a new three-year deal at the City Ground in October.
He and Levy wouldn't exactly be a match made in heaven either, given the fact Cooper can be quite stubborn with his tactical approach and ideas, and any differences in opinion could potentially lead to more issues behind the scenes.