Tottenham ‘will NOT appoint Gennaro Gattuso as manager’ after fan backlash as search for new boss continues

TOTTENHAM will NOT be appointing Gennaro Gattuso as their new manager, it's claimed.

Rumours of talks between the North London side and the combustible Italian emerged yesterday.

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But the gossip rapidly sparked a furious fan backlash, leading to #NoToGattuso trending on Twitter in the UK last night.

Many fans were understood to be upset by alleged past comments by Gattuso on women in football, same-sex marriage and racism.

According to , Spurs have now opted against hiring the former AC Milan and Napoli boss.

Following failed pursuits of Hansi Flick, Mauricio Pochettino and Antonio Conte, Tottenham had been in advanced negotiations with former Roma manager Paulo Fonseca.

But the deal dramatically collapsed yesterday, as Gattuso entered the frame.

The Italian, 43, appeared to be on the verge of landing the Spurs job.

But supporters' backlash may have scared the club off.

The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust confirmed on social media that they had been in contact with the club.

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They wrote: "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."

In addition to his alleged past comments, Gattuso also clashed with Spurs as a player.

During a fiery Champions League tie in 2011, Gattuso throttled then-Tottenham assistant manager Joe Jordan.

After leaving Napoli following their failure to secure Champions League football, Gattuso had taken the Fiorentina job.

But he left La Viola after just 23 days, reportedly over transfer disagreements.

New sporting director Fabio Paratici will now be tasked with finding another candidate, as Spurs reach the two month mark since sacking Jose Mourinho.

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