Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly prepared to allow Harry Kane a big say in who their new permanent head coach should be this summer.
The Lilywhites are once again under the temporary tutelage of Ryan Mason following the end of Cristian Stellini's disastrous 29-day reign in the hotseat earlier this week.
Stellini, who took over from former boss Antonio Conte in March, won just one of his four games in charge and oversaw an embarrassing 6-1 defeat to Newcastle United last weekend.
Daniel Levy relieved Stellini and his coaching team of their duties just over 24 hours later, and Mason's second reign kicked off with a creditable point against Manchester United on Thursday.
Despite making a positive impression when taking over from Jose Mourinho in 2021 and the manner of his side's comeback in midweek, ex-Spurs midfielder Mason is not expected to take the reins permanently, even though he has affirmed that he would be open to such a promotion.
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Instead, Spurs chairman Levy is spearheading the search for Conte's successor in the absence of a sporting director, having seen Fabio Paratici resign earlier this month following his failed appeal against a 30-month worldwide footballing ban.
Former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann is thought to be the top candidate for the job, while Luis Enrique and Arne Slot are also still believed to be in the running.
With Tottenham also fighting tooth and nail to tie Kane down to a new contract, Football Insider claims that the Lilywhites will include the 29-year-old in the hiring process for a new head coach.
Kane and Tottenham are expected to intensify talks over his future when the season is over, and the club have promised the striker that he will heavily influence their next managerial appointment.
Tottenham are aware that Kane would prefer to work under an attack-minded manager following their struggles under pragmatists such as Mourinho, Conte and Nuno Espirito Santo, and there is still hope that he can be convinced to stay on with the right man at the helm.
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The marksman, who is now the all-time leading goalscorer for Tottenham and England, is only under contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until 2024 and unsuccessfully tried to force a move away in 2021 amid interest from Manchester City.
Two years later, Manchester United and Bayern Munich are both being heavily linked with a move for Kane, while Paris Saint-Germain are also keeping a close eye on the situation.
Man United are believed to have begun an internal process to bring Kane to Old Trafford, but Tottenham remain defiant in their stance that the 29-year-old is not for sale, in spite of his expiring contract.
Should Kane ultimately depart Spurs, he has hinted that he wants to remain in the Premier League as he closes down Alan Shearer at the top of the all-time scoring charts, currently sitting on 207 goals compared to his compatriot's record of 260.
The Three Lions captain has enjoyed another strong individual season despite Spurs' wobbles, banking 26 goals and five assists in 44 matches, setting up Son Heung-min's equaliser in Thursday's 2-2 draw with Manchester United.
Ben Knapton
