Exclusive: Tottenham close to new director hire after talks with ex-London club chief
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(Credit: Imago) Fri 17 April 2026 14:22, UK Tottenham Hotspur are down to the final two in their search to bring in a new co-sporting director and are advancing in talks, sources have told Football Insider.Former Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl and ex-Crystal Palace chief Dougie Freedman are both in the frame, having held talks with Spurs over the role.Spurs are searching for a new co-sporting director following the departure of Fabio Paratici to Fiorentina after the close of the January transfer window.Kehl and Freedman are both viewed as leading contenders for the role as a result of their previous success, as they are highly rated by multiple clubs across Europe.Whoever lands the job will work closely alongside Johan Lange and could face an immediate challenge ahead of a crucial summer transfer window for Tottenham. ✈️ Tottenham Hotspur Transfer News ✈️ Breaking news on deals in progress, signings, departures, and contract news from the Spurs boardroom. VISIT THE TRANSFER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Who are the two sporting director contenders for Tottenham?Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider last month that Freedman should be Tottenham’s top target as they aim to reshuffle their backroom staff.The former Crystal Palace manager and sporting director built up a strong reputation at Selhurst Park before leaving to join Al-Diriyah in 2025.Dougie FreedmanSebastian KehlMichael OliseNico SchlotterbeckEberechi EzeFelix NmechaAdam WhartonSerhou GuirassyMarc GuehiKarim AdeyemiBig-name signings made by Dougie Freedman and Sebastian Kehl.He has been credited with bringing the likes of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Adam Wharton to Palace and has worked well to land top players on restricted budgets.Kehl, meanwhile, built a strong reputation during his time at Borussia Dortmund and left the club by mutual consent just last month, with his availability putting Spurs on alert.He had held the role at sporting director BVB since 2022 and oversaw the signings of the likes of Nico Schlotterbeck, Felix Nmecha and Serhou Guirassy.Why do Tottenham want a co-sporting director?It has been a busy season both on and off the pitch at Tottenham, with a major backroom reshuffle coming alongside their dismal Premier League campaign.Daniel Levy stepped down as executive chairman in September, leading to Peter Charrington and Vinai Venkatesham’s arrivals as part of a new-look board.Credit: ImagoMeanwhile, Paratici returned to Spurs alongside Lange as the co-sporting directors with tasks split between the two in what was labelled an “unusual” model.Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson told Football Insider that Tottenham believe their model is useful as the football operations are too complex for one person to cover.It also allows them to split tasks including recruitment and internal operations to allow for a greater focus on both sides of the role, rather than mixing the two.
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