By Gabriel Agbonlahor

25th Mar, 2023 | 2:35pm

Agbonlahor: Tottenham told to appoint 4-2-3-1 manager after Julian Nagelsmann reveal

Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Tottenham should only green-light the appointment of a replacement for Antonio Conte if they are willing to play an attacking 4-3-2-1 system.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed a five-man defence “should not be an option” for Spurs with the talent in their squad.

Sources told this site on Friday (24 March) that sacked Bayern Munich boss Nagelsmann is Tottenham’s first-choice managerial candidate ahead of Mauricio Pochettino.

Football Insider updated on Saturday (25 March) to reveal that talisman Harry Kane could be tempted to stay at Tottenham if the club appoint Nagelsmann.

The former RB Leipzig boss is known to utilise an attacking, 4-2-3-1 style – with which he achieved great success in the Bundesliga.

Tottenham’s last two permanent managers, Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho, have been criticised by Spurs fans and pundits alike for playing an overly cautious, defensive brand of football.

Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Whoever comes in, the bar to entry should be playing 4-2-3-1.

“They’ve got to get someone who plays attacking football, like the old Spurs.

“That’s got to be one of the main requirements.

“I think Poch is the easy option. They could go out and get him and be comfortable, but he didn’t win anything the first time – why would it be different?

“They need to get out of their comfort zone.

“If it means going for someone unexpected, then they should do it. Nuno coming in was a shock, but it was another manager who plays the wrong type of football.

“Five at the back shouldn’t be an option when you have as much talent as Spurs.”

In other news, Football Insider updates with Tottenham plotting to sign Premier League star as new asking price revealed.