Whether this week, next week, or at the end of the season, Antonio Conte's exit from Tottenham appears increasingly inevitable.
Reports this week claim the Italian manager could be sacked during the international break following a remarkable outburst last Saturday in which he hammered his "selfish" players after a 3-3 draw at Southampton, whom Spurs led 3-1 with 13 minutes remaining.
Conte has for months been expected to leave Spurs when his contract expires at the end of the season, but recent events could hasten his departure.
It wasn't meant to be like this. While Conte is known to be a combustible character not afraid to criticise his own club and board - after all, similar patterns contributed to his exits from Juventus, Chelsea, and Inter Milan - his arrival in North London brought hope that the club could form solid foundations upon which they could start challenging for trophies.
Taking over in November 2021 with Spurs in eighth place, Conte led the club to a top-four finish and into the Champions League. Since then, though, the cracks started to appear, with the Italian rounding on the club over their transfer policy and inconsistent results marring progress on the pitch. Then came the astonishing tirade at St Mary's Stadium.
Speculation has now begun over who will replace Conte at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Here are five managers who could be in the running to step into the Spurs dugout.
Mauricio Pochettino
The romantic choice and the one that would have the backing of the majority of Tottenham fans. Pochettino's four and a half years as Spurs manager, between May 2014 and November 2019, was one of the more successful spells in the club's recent history, highlighted by reaching the Champions League final in 2019.
The club's failure to build on that European run - Tottenham didn't sign any players the following summer - saw results rapidly decline and Pochettino was sacked in the November with Spurs 14th in the Premier League table.
Since leaving Spurs, Pochettino spent 18 months at Paris Saint-Germain, leading the French giants to the Ligue 1 title - his first major trophy as a manager - but an inability to capture the Champions League title saw the Argentine leave last summer.
Pochettino's strong relationship with the players should be a big advantage in his favour, particularly in light of Conte's recent criticism of the squad, while the Argentine's style of play will be welcomed compared to the Italian's more rigid approach.
Oliver Glasner
Reports this week claimed Tottenham have already made contact with Glasner, and given the Austrian's managerial achievements so far, it should come as little surprise.
Everywhere Glasner has been has led to success, taking over Austrian side LASK in the second division in 2015 and leading them to promotion. LASK then finished fourth in the Austrian Bundesliga in their first season, and second the following year - their highest placing since 1962.
From there, Glasner joined Wolfsburg and led the club to seventh in the Bundesliga in his debut season and fourth in his second year to qualify for the Champions League.
Glasner, 48, has been in charge at Eintracht Frankfurt since the start of the 2021/22 season, and while they endured a difficult league campaign to finish 11th, he did guide the club to the Europa League title - their first European trophy since 1980. Eintracht then advanced from their Champions League group this season but were eliminated in the Round of 16 by Napoli.
Considering all of Glasner's managerial experience has come in Austria and Germany, there would be an element of risk for Tottenham but his impressive CV makes him an obvious candidate.
Thomas Tuchel
Regarded as one of football's elite-level managers, Tuchel has been out of work since his shock sacking by Chelsea last September, 16 months after leading the club to the Champions League title.
Tuchel has achieved success throughout his managerial career, winning the German Cup with Borussia Dortmund, and claiming four trophies in two-and-a-half years at PSG. The German came closer than any coach to ending PSG's desperate attempts for European glory having guided the club to the Champions League final in 2020.
A master tactician who led Chelsea to successive FA Cup finals, Tuchel received a lot of credit for his leadership during a time of crisis when the Blues were placed under government sanctions due to former owner Roman Abramovich's alleged links to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Results started to tail off during his final months at Stamford Bridge but much of that could be attributed to the unprecedented upheaval at the club.
Tuchel would be dream appointment for Tottenham but whether the 49-year-old would be interested in the position could be the main obstacle. Reports have suggested he could be in line for a return to PSG.
Luis Enrique
Unemployed since leaving the Spain national team following their last-16 exit to Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, Luis Enrique is expected to be one of the most sought-after managers in Europe come the end of the season.
Following short spells with Barcelona's B team and Roma in Italy, Luis Enrique returned to the Camp Nou in 2014 and presided over Barca's most recent era of dominance, winning seven major trophies in three seasons, including their last Champions League title in 2015.
Two consecutive spells as Spain manager have followed, with Enrique's best achievement leading the team to the Euros 2020 semi-finals.
Should Tottenham be interested in an approach for Enrique, the biggest challenge could competition for the Spaniard's signature. PSG, Chelsea, and Liverpool have all been linked with Enrique should those clubs decide to make a change.
Vincent Kompany
A riskier appointment but the former Manchester City captain is making an impressive start to life in management. Kompany got his break at boyhood club Anderlecht in Belgium and moved to Championship side Burnley last summer.
The Belgian has built one of the most dominant teams in Championship history as Burnley, 13 points clear at the time of writing, sprint towards promotion to the Premier League.
As a disciple of Pep Guardiola at City, Kompany has received one of the best educations a budding manager could get. Tottenham's fierce rivals Arsenal took a similar punt when they appointed Mikel Arteta. Perhaps Spurs could follow their lead.
Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
- Salah Abdeslam, the only survivor of the terrorists, did not directly participate in the attacks, thought to be due to a technical glitch in his suicide vest
- He fled to Belgium and was involved in attacks on Brussels in March 2016. He is serving a life sentence in France
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
SPEC%20SHEET
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MATCH DETAILS
Juventus 2 (Bonucci 36, Ronaldo 90 6)
Genoa 1 (Kouame 40)
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
25-MAN SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina, Abdullahi Shehu, Chidozie Awaziem, William Ekong, Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Jamilu Collins, Semi Ajayi
Midfielders: John Obi Mikel, Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo, John Ogu
Forwards: Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Odion Ighalo, Alexander Iwobi, Samuel Kalu, Paul Onuachu, Kelechi Iheanacho, Samuel Chukwueze
On Standby: Theophilus Afelokhai, Bryan Idowu, Ikouwem Utin, Mikel Agu, Junior Ajayi, Valentine Ozornwafor
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
More on animal trafficking
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Results
6.30pm: Madjani Stakes Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m, Winner: RB Frynchh Dude, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Mnasek, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Grand Dubai, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m, Winner: Meqdam, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m, Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Cosgrave, Doug Watson.
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,900m, Winner: Sanad Libya, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,400m, Winner: Madkhal, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
Under 19 World Cup
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,200 metres
Winner: Jabalini, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Younis Kalbani (trainer)
5.30pm: UAE Arabian Derby (PA) | Prestige | Dh150,000 | 2,200m
Winner: Octave, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round 3 (PA) | Group 3 Dh300,000 | 2,200m
Winner: Harrab, Richard Mullen, Mohamed Ali
6.30pm: Emirates Championship (PA) | Group 1 | Dh1million | 2,200m
Winner: BF Mughader, Szczepan Mazur, Younis Al Kalbani
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (TB) | Group 3 | Dh380,000 | 2,200m
Winner: GM Hopkins, Patrick Cosgrave, Jaber Ramadhan
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) | Conditions | Dh70,000 | 1,600m
Winner: AF La’Asae, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
FROM%20THE%20ASHES
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Khalid%20Fahad%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStarring%3A%20Shaima%20Al%20Tayeb%2C%20Wafa%20Muhamad%2C%20Hamss%20Bandar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Gender equality in the workplace still 200 years away
It will take centuries to achieve gender parity in workplaces around the globe, according to a December report from the World Economic Forum.
The WEF study said there had been some improvements in wage equality in 2018 compared to 2017, when the global gender gap widened for the first time in a decade.
But it warned that these were offset by declining representation of women in politics, coupled with greater inequality in their access to health and education.
At current rates, the global gender gap across a range of areas will not close for another 108 years, while it is expected to take 202 years to close the workplace gap, WEF found.
The Geneva-based organisation's annual report tracked disparities between the sexes in 149 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment.
After years of advances in education, health and political representation, women registered setbacks in all three areas this year, WEF said.
Only in the area of economic opportunity did the gender gap narrow somewhat, although there is not much to celebrate, with the global wage gap narrowing to nearly 51 per cent.
And the number of women in leadership roles has risen to 34 per cent globally, WEF said.
At the same time, the report showed there are now proportionately fewer women than men participating in the workforce, suggesting that automation is having a disproportionate impact on jobs traditionally performed by women.
And women are significantly under-represented in growing areas of employment that require science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, WEF said.
* Agence France Presse
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Qosty Byogaani
Starring: Hani Razmzi, Maya Nasir and Hassan Hosny
Four stars
Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
The specs
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 620hp from 5,750-7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm from 3,000-5,750rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh1.05 million ($286,000)
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule
Thursday December 27
Men's quarter-finals
Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm
Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm
Women's exhibition
Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm
Friday December 28
5th place play-off 3pm
Men's semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm
Saturday December 29
3rd place play-off 5pm
Men's final 7pm
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
