Tottenham woes continue as top target turns them down during manager search

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Tottenham have seen their attempts to appoint a new sporting director fall by the wayside, with their top target having turned the north London side down.

Spurs have endured a miserable Premier League campaign this term. They sit 17th in the table and just one point above the relegation zone with seven games of the season remaining. Spurs face a real threat of dropping into the Championship at the end of the campaign.

And while the battle to avoid relegation goes on, club chiefs are attempting to complete a mass overhaul behind the scenes. Spurs are still on the hunt for a new sporting director following the exit of Italian chief Fabio Paratici .

Former Crystal Palace and current Al-Diriyah director Dougie Freedman had been identified as a potential option but according to The Independent , he has turned down a move to north London.

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The club’s new sporting director is expected to have a big say on the next manager at the club. Igor Tudor has had a disappointing impact at the club after replacing Thomas Frank, albeit Alan Shearer recently claimed that the Croatian should not take the majority of the blame.

Speaking to Betfair, the Newcastle icon said: "It's not Igor Tudor's fault, but obviously, he's picked up one point from five games, but the club was a mess before he got there.

"You're not going to be put in his situation without the club being in a mess. As tough as it is, he hasn't been able to have an impact on the squad and on the football club. Now, clearly, he's going through a terrible, horrible time off the pitch in terms of the death of his father. It's an impossible time for him and Spurs are in a deep mess."

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While Spurs will continue their search for a new sporting director, there could yet be more change in the dugout before the end of the season. Reports have suggested that the club would be willing to move for former Burnley , Everton and Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche until the end of the campaign.

It is further detailed that Spurs would only turn to him should their long-term target, Roberto De Zerbi, not be willing to take the role until the end of the season. Dyche has been out of work since leaving Forest in February.

Tottenham are next back in action next weekend as they take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.