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Highly-regarded Spanish coach Luis Enrique has revealed his desire to work in the Premier League in an interview that will have caught the attention of the decision-makers at managerless giants, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham axed controversial boss Antonio Conte last week following the Italian’s explosive reaction to Spurs’ 3-3 draw at Southampton, while Chelsea finally ended their relationship with underperforming boss Graham Potter shortly after the Blues’ 2-0 loss to Aston Villa.
Both London-based outfits are now scouring the market for fresh managerial candidates and ex-Barcelona and Spain head coach, Luis Enrique, is a high-class candidate without a job.
Enrique interested in Premier League move
Luis Enrique has been out of work since World Cup 2022 and the 47-year-old is believed to be on both Chelsea and Tottenham’s preferred list of contenders to fill their vacant hotseats.
Speaking a week ago in an interview with Cadena Ser radio in his homeland, Enrique discussed his future and his desire to test his tactical wits in England’s Premier League. However, the highly-decorated coach insisted he would only move there for the right position, saying:
“I follow above all the Premier [League] because I would like to go to England to work.
“I wouldn’t go to any team but to one that could do important things, which greatly reduces the number. I don’t put my hopes up, really, because there are many candidates.
“I am lucky because my personal life fills me up. That it takes longer, that no offers arrive, well, it is what it is. I would go to a team with possibilities. That doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t work in Spain.”
Enrique has stiff competition
Luis Enrique insisted that he didn’t have high hopes about landing either the Chelsea or Tottenham job, and he might not be too far off the mark with that assertation with a number of elite managers believed to be in the running for the jobs in London.
Recently axed Bayern Munich boss, Julian Nagelsmann, is believed to be the preferred choice at Chelsea and there seems to be some mutual admiration between the coach and club, though several whispers have also suggested that Tottenham are preparing a package to woo the 35-year-old.
However, Nagelsmann is thought to have a “great relationship” with Chelsea head honcho Todd Boehly, something that should give the Blues the upper hand in any head-to-head for the German.
Mauricio Pochettino is also rumoured to be coveted by both Chelsea and Spurs, though the latter could have the edge in any race to land the Argentinean given their close links with the 51-year-old.
It’s unclear at this stage, whether either Chelsea or Tottenham will make move to appoint a permanent successor to Potter and Conte before the end of the current season.
Both clubs have handed the reins to interim caretakers in Bruno Saltor and Cristian Stellini, who both look ready to see out the 2022/23 campaign in temporary charge.
However, behind the scenes, discussions about possible options and tentative talks with various agents are almost certain to take place between now and the summer.
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