Ten years on from the year where Italy legend Gennaro Gattuso made himself public enemy number one by head-butting Harry Redknapp’s assistant coach Joe Jordan as Spurs shocked AC Milan in the round of 16 in the Champions League, the former midfielder looks set to become the next manager of the North London club.
This comes after he left Fiorentina this morning having been in charge for just 22 days, as his agent Jorge Mendes was insistent on the Italian club signing a few of the players he represents like Porto midfielder Sergio Oliveira and Valencia forward Goncalo Guedes – but the board were refusing to negotiate.
Paulo Fonseca to Tottenham is 100% OFF. Deal collapsed because of taxes issues despite contract already completed and set to be signed – Fonseca had tax advantages from an Italian law which is not applicable in the UK 🚨⚪️ #THFC
Spurs in talks with Gattuso now, as per @DiMarzio.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 17, 2021
Spurs’ new Director of Football, Fabio Paratici, is believed to have favoured Gattuso over Paulo Fonseca – who is now 100% definitely not becoming the new manager of the club, and the Italian manager is in advanced talks and on the verge of snatching the opportunity away from the Portuguese coach.
The 43-year-old was sacked by Napoli, despite winning the Coppa Italia not long after his sister died, and during his time at AC Milan, he earned rave reviews by the likes of Hakan Calhanoglu for his work ethic, commitment and dedication.
While he was underwhelming compared to others, I understood the idea of Paulo Fonseca, his way of playing and how he would fit into this current Spurs set-up. Gennaro Gattuso, with his combustible nature, track record and some dodgy views, seems like more chaos waiting to happen.
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) June 17, 2021
Gattuso hasn’t been received well at all though by Spurs fans, largely due to his unacceptable personal views which are very controversial – as he has time and time again come under criticism for sexist, homophobic and racist comments.
Furthermore, the situation at Fiorentina surely should have raised red flags among the Spurs hierarchy – particularly due to the involvement of Jorge Mendes who seems to put himself everywhere that he doesn’t belong.
❌ Sexist
❌ Racist
❌ Homophobic
❌ Misogynistic🤚 Gennaro Gattuso will never be the answer for our football club.#THFC #COYS pic.twitter.com/Rch2oIJ4hc
— Last Word On Spurs (@LastWordOnSpurs) June 17, 2021
However, just to play devil’s advocate, if Mendes is desperate in finding his client Guedes a move, he is definitely the type of player that the club should be looking to bring in – however on the other hand, should he have an involvement in the club, it might just be that another client of his, Matt Doherty, will stop Paratici from looking for a first-team right-back in the transfer window.
Whatever the question is, Gennaro Gattuso is not the answer. He is never ever the answer. #THFC
— Talking THFC (@TalkingTHFC) June 17, 2021
Either way, the whole situation begs the question as to whether or not Daniel Levy really is interested in protecting the image of the club, as right now Gattuso’s appointment would not just tarnish his name further, but tarnish the reputation of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club