Tottenham push to hire Dougie Freedman in sporting director role: 'I’ve been told...'
Tottenham are looking to bring Dougie Freedman back to the Premier League as their new sporting director.
That is what former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, has heard on Spurs' search for a sporting director.
Freedman is currently sporting director at Saudi club Al-Diriyah, but has experience in the Premier League in the same role at Crystal Palace.
Former Borussia Dortmund chief Sebastian Kehl has also been linked with the role at the north London club, as Johan Lange's job could be under threat this summer, whilst Fabio Paratici departed in February.
Spurs could make changes behind-the-scenes due to the club's difficulties on the pitch this season, which has seen three managers take charge of the team.
Relegation battle to 'dictate' Tottenham's next hire
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs - believes that Spurs need to hire a candidate to start work as soon as possible.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks that ex-Palace striker Freedman would be a better choice for Spurs than Kehl.
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He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Spurs have got to fill that position now.
"I’ve been told Dougie Freedman is the one they’re trying to get back from Saudi and that would make a lot more sense to me.
"He's somebody that really understands the Premier League, understands London, and knows how it works. That would make a lot more sense.
"But of course we have got to see the outcome of this relegation battle because that’s going to dictate a lot of things for the club going forward.”
Tottenham to start talks on Joao Palhinha deal
Spurs' new sporting director will have a say on recruitment at the club this summer, which will be pivotal regardless of if they remain in the Premier League or not.
It looks as though Roberto De Zerbi's side will beat the drop following their 2-1 win at Aston Villa, which took Spurs outside the relegation zone with just three games remaining.
If they do remain in the Premier League, sources have told Football Insider that Spurs are looking to negotiate a fee with Bayern Munich to sign Joao Palhinha on a permanent deal.
A £25million option to buy was included in Palhinha's loan deal, but Spurs are keen to reduce that figure to extend his time in north London.