Jose Mourinho is the overwhelming favourite to become Tottenham Hotspur's new manager, with the Portuguese "definitely interested" in the vacancy following Mauricio Pochettino's sacking on Tuesday night.
The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss has been out of work since leaving Old Trafford in January and would be keen on taking over last season's Champions League finalists if the club want him.
That decision will ultimately rest with Daniel Levy, the Spurs chairman, who dropped the axe on Pochettino's reign following a slow start to the season that sees them in 14th position before Saturday's derby away to West Ham United.
Football.london has been told by a source close to Mourinho that the club have already contacted the Portuguese about the vacancy.
While Pochettino's job was known to be at risk, the timing is a surprise. He had made a trip to Barcelona in recent days, as he often does during international breaks, and gave an interview in which he said he would "love to return to Spain" but was happy in London.
His contract at Spurs had been due to run until the summer of 2023.
"Look, although you never know… We are latinos. I like this city, La Liga and I love this club," Pochettino told Diario La Grada . "I am enjoying England very much, and I don’t know when or where, but I would love to return to Spain."
In a statement confirming Pochettino's departure on the Spurs website, Levy said: "Regrettably domestic results at the end of last season and beginning of this season have been extremely disappointing. It falls to the board to make the difficult decisions - this one made more so given the many memorable moments we have had with Mauricio and his coaching staff - but we do so in the club's best interests.
"Mauricio and his coaching staff will always be part of our history. I have the utmost admiration for the manner in which he dealt with the difficult times away from a home ground whilst we built the new stadium and for the warmth and positivity he brought to us.
"I should like to thank him and his coaching staff for all they have contributed. They will always be welcome here.
"We have a talented squad. We need to re-energise and look to deliver a positive season for our supporters.
"We shall provide an update on new coaching staff in due course."
Mourinho is the 4/6 favourite to be Pochettino's replacement at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He has been working on Sky Sports as a pundit in recent weeks.
