Tottenham suffer blow as Dougie Freedman rejects sporting director role
Dougie Freedman has rejected an approach to become Tottenham Hotspur’s new sporting director, opting to remain in Saudi Arabia instead of returning to the Premier League.
The 51-year-old was identified as the primary target to rebuild the recruitment team in north London following Fabio Paratici’s sudden departure to Serie A.
However, contact made earlier this month has failed to convince the former Crystal Palace executive to leave his current project with Al-Diriyah.
Relegation fears and ownership uncertainty
This high-profile rejection marks another significant setback in what has been a disastrous campaign for the London club.
They currently sit just one point above the relegation zone after managing a solitary victory in seven matches under interim manager Igor Tudor.
The interim boss is expected to leave imminently, having struggled to steady the ship following the earlier dismissal of Thomas Frank.
Ongoing uncertainty regarding potential takeover consortiums looking to succeed the Lewis family is also believed to have deterred potential boardroom arrivals.
Search shifts to summer rebuild
The hierarchy must now identify alternative candidates to lead their vital summer restructuring.
Their hunt for a permanent director may now be delayed until their top-flight status is mathematically resolved.
Speculated alternatives include former recruitment chief Paul Mitchell and experienced German executive Tim Steidten.
Whoever accepts the role will face a mammoth task to stabilise the struggling outfit and oversee the appointment of a permanent head coach.
