‘Luis Enrique ticks that box’: Chris Sutton backs the former Spain boss to take over at Tottenham

Chris Sutton has tipped Spaniard Luis Enrique as the best man for the vacant Spurs job following Antonio Conte’s recent departure.

Sportsmail columnist Sutton believes Italian stalwart Conte deployed a ‘negative’ brand of football during his 16 months in charge as Tottenham manager and has urged the club to appoint a more attack-minded successor.

Conte had his contract terminated following his outrageous rant after Spurs’ 3-3 draw against Southampton prior to the international break after he lashed out at his players and club executives for years of trophyless failure.

Now as Tottenham hunt for a replacement capable of leading them into a new era of success, with recently-sacked Bayern Munich Julian Nagelsmann held in high regard by club chairman Daniel Levy, Sutton told BBC’s Monday Night Club that former Spain and Barcelona title-winning manager Enqrique would be a great fit.  

‘I think what is really important for Spurs, this was always a criticism of Conte, the brand of football was negative, from the start of the season how many times have you seen Spurs play an exciting brand of football,’ said Sutton.

Luis Enrique (pictured) is favoured by Chris Sutton to take over the vacant managerial position at Tottenham

Spurs are currently without a manager after Antonio Conte (pictured) had his deal terminated

Enrique (left) previously won the treble at Barcelona and got the best out of the likes of Lionel Messi (right)

‘That’s why Luis Enrique ticks that box. I think Mauricio Pochettinho is a really interesting one because I suspect a lot of Spurs fans like the idea of him returning and that love story of him having a second opportunity. 

‘But I suspect there are Spurs fans who may feel slightly peeved at the way that he left and maybe don’t want to go back there,’ he added.

Sutton’s favouring of Enrique appears to have some substance behind it after the club apparently already viewed the 52-year-old as a ‘possible replacement’ for Conte.

Enrique’s record of achievements would give Spurs fans hope that he is the best man for the job, having won the Champions League and LaLiga among other honours during his time managing in Spain.

He also led Barcelona to a magnificent treble trophy haul in 2014 that saw Enrique get the very best out of an attacking trio consisting of Neymar, Luis Suarez, and Lionel Messi. 

However, while trophies will be the benchmark that any new Spurs chief will be judged upon, Sutton also believes that appointing a manager that plays attractive football will help relieve some of the criticism that has been directed at Levy. 

‘I suspect this appointment will be about brand of football more than anything and what the Spurs fans demand,’ said Sutton. 

Tottenham played a ‘negative’ brand of football under Conte according to Sportsmail columnist Sutton

Sutton (right) believes Enrique’s (left) style of football would suit Tottenham’s players and fans

‘Then if trophies don’t come Daniel Levy can have the out of saying I am giving you what you want in terms of brand of football, this is the identity we have had since the 70s/80s and want to get back to that. 

‘In terms of brand of football I think they would love Enrique,’ he added.

Enrique has been out of work since leaving his position as Spain’s national team coach following their round-of-16 World Cup exit.

Taking up the reigns at Tottenham would represent a first Premier League venture for Enrique who would join Pep Guardiola as the second Spaniard in charge of a top six club.