Tottenham have called off a move to appoint Gennaro Gattuso as their new manager following an almighty fan backlash online.
The former Italy midfielder was a shock late candidate for the job on Thursday, with new managing director of football Fabio Paratici making a move for the former Milan and Napoli coach and calling a halt to talks with previous candidate Paulo Fonseca.
However, a social media campaign #NoToGattuso was launched by Spurs fans online and according to reports, with David Ornstein of The Athletic saying this morning that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy has pulled out of talks.
Everything was pointing to Tottenham appointing Fonseca as the new manager this week in what was, admittedly, an underwhelming move for Spurs fans.
However, those plans were abruptly brought to an end when Gattuso left Fiorentina after just 23 days in charge and was expected to be named Spurs boss, with Paratici coveting the former Milan and Napoli man for Juventus previously.
However, no sooner had Gattuso been tipped for the vacant post in N17 than Spurs fans launched a campaign with #NoToGattuso trending on Twitter.
Gattuso has held some controversial views in the past and is known to be a divisive character, with the Tottenham hotspur Supporters Trust even having their say.
In a tweet on Friday morning they said: “As ever, it isn’t wise for us to comment on speculation. However, we can and do communicate supporter sentiment to the decision makers at the club, and have done so very clearly on this occasion. We are aware of and acting on your concerns around potential managerial candidates.”
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And it seems Levy has listened to the uproar and called off a move for Gattuso.
Where that leaves Tottenham now after a two-month search for a replacement for Jose Mourinho remains to be seen.
But for now, at least, the fans have won.