Marcello Lippi has joined the list of star bosses lining up to replace the beleaguered Martin Jol.
Jol's position as Spurs boss will be untenable should they lose to bitter rivals Arsenal in Saturday's north London derby.
And World Cup winner Lippi is well in contention to succeed Jol as the Tottenham board draw up their short-list.
Lippi has made it clear to Spurs chiefs he would relish the opportunity of managing in the Premier League.
He has taken a year off following Italy's win in last summer's World Cup but is now ready for a fresh challenge.
Earlier this year, when Jose Mourinho's future was in doubt, Lippi was not shy in volunteering his services.
He said at the time: "After winning the World Cup for Italy, I still want another challenge. Being a manager of a top English club attracts me, given what I have achieved in Italian football and for the national side.
"There are some people who think that can't happen because I don't speak English.
"But that is not right because actually I can speak English quite well and have spent the last year improving my command of the language."
