Tottenham see ‘dizzying’ offer rejected for highly-rated Europa League winner

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Sevilla president Jose Castro has told Cadena SAR – as per the Evening Standard – that Tottenham have made an offer for Julen Lopetegui. However, that offer – labelled as “dizzying” – has been rejected by the ex-Spain gaffer. Spurs are still without a replacement for Jose Mourinho.

Lopetegui is quickly becoming one of the best managers in European football. Though he failed during a short stint at Real Madrid – in which he won just six of 14 games – Lopetegui has rediscovered his touch at Sevilla. 2019-20’s Europa League win was followed by a top-four finish.

That has not gone unnoticed at Spurs. The North London club are now looking at other managers after moves to get Paulo Fonseca and Antonio Conte fell through. Gennaro Gattuso almost joined, but fans protested. Now, Castro confirms Lopetegui got an offer, but his Sevilla coach has rejected it.

“Julen rang me and told me. He said he’d received offers he’d not listened to in addition to a dizzying one from Tottenham,” Castro said. “But he said he doesn’t forget things and that he is very motivated here. We believed and believe in him, giving him a two-year contract extension.

“I’m sure he will bring much more to the club. You see his ability and leadership every day. Some coaches are more driven by economic factors but Julen is very clear that he is happy here and he even said it would be very difficult to find a better place to work than here.”

Tottenham manager news: Lopetegui would have been ideal for Spurs

He’s got a bit of everything. Looking at his Sevilla side, he is clearly an excellent man-manager. But he also has a bit of nous in the transfer market. He has experience in European football, winning the Europa League in 2019-20 – against Conte’s Inter. Lopetegui would have been brilliant.

It is a surprise that he was not considered above Conte or Fonseca – perhaps he was, but the news of an offer has only just surfaced. Certainly, Lopetegui is a manager Daniel Levy should keep tabs on going forward. But right now, he will not be moving to Spurs – at least, according to Castro.

In other Tottenham manager news, Duncan Castles claims a move to get Mauricio Pochettino could still be on – after Lopetegui claims.