Report: Spurs open talks with Gattuso after Fonseca appointment collapses

Gennaro Gattuso has emerged as a surprise candidate for the Tottenham Hotspur job after the club's talks with Paulo Fonseca broke down, according to The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano and David Hytner.

Fonseca was expected to become Spurs' new manager this week after verbally agreeing on a contract and discussing plans for next season with new director of football, Fabio Paratici. However, the former Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk boss ultimately failed to agree to terms, Romano and Hytner report.

Gattuso is available after sensationally leaving his role at Fiorentina on Thursday. The boisterous Italian was at La Viola's helm for a little over three weeks before reported tension between owner Rocco Commisso and Gattuso over Fiorentina's strategy and resources in the transfer market effectively ended their union.

Spurs are apparently keen to quickly conclude talks to hire Gattuso, who won the 2020 Coppa Italia over a 19-month spell with Napoli. Through his stints with AC Milan and Napoli, Gattuso oversaw finishes of sixth, fifth, seventh, and fifth in Serie A. He left Napoli in May and took over Fiorentina under 48 hours later.

Tottenham have struggled in their search for Jose Mourinho's successor. They were linked with moves for Antonio Conte, Hansi Flick, ex-boss Mauricio Pochettino, Erik ten Hag, Brendan Rodgers, and Julian Nagelsmann before their Fonseca appointment collapsed.