MY ACCOUNT
Harry Kane finds himself in the spotlight once again after Tottenham parted ways with Antonio Conte on Sunday — another coach unable to secure silverware for the North Londoners.
The Italian was relieved of his duties by chairman Daniel Levy following a public outburst criticising his “selfish” players.
Kane is set to return to Hotspur Way this week with Cristian Stellini the interim boss tasked with guiding Spurs to a top-four finish.
Ahead of their trip to Everton on Monday, we take a look at Tottenham’s situation and the future of their homegrown hero.
Record breaker
Kane’s individual achievements are not to be ignored despite the lack of trophies in his collection.
His penalty against Italy was a monumental moment for the 29-year-old as he became England’s all-time top goalscorer, surpassing Wayne Rooney who netted 53 times for the Three Lions.
Reports suggests the world-class finisher would prefer to remain in England in order to next chase down Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of 260 goals.
That would rule out a move to Bayern Munich, with the Bavarians said to be interested in the England captain.
Stevie’s support
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard sympathises with Kane’s conundrum.
Speaking after England’s 2-0 win over Ukraine, Gerrard said: “He’s got a big decision to make.
“I’ve been there myself, where you’re thinking ‘is my team good enough to get me the medals? Am I going to get out of my career what I want to get?’
“It’s different for me. I knew winning one trophy more with Liverpool would have meant a lot more to me than being anywhere else.
“He’s [Kane] got a big decision to make. I can’t give him any advice on that but I bet you every single day of his life now moving forward, it’s going to be on his mind.”
European hopes
It would be understandable if Tottenham’s all-time top goalscorer were to be keen on a new challenge but his focus now will be on helping his side secure European football for next term.
Morale at the club will be low and any hopes of clinging on to their No10 may rest on playing in the Champions League in 2023-24.
Success in the final 10 league matches will rest on the shoulders of the 82-cap international who has averaged 3.59 shots and 1.54 chances created per 90 this year.
If he can continue to perform at his current level, it may act as the perfect audition for suitors such as Manchester United and Bayern who would be expected to fork out at least £100million for the striker.
But if the team can pull together under the leadership of Stellini and assistant coach Ryan Mason, then there may yet be hope that Spurs’ talisman could be convinced to stay beyond the summer.
Harry says stay
Kane is contracted to Tottenham until 2024 and former boss Harry Redknapp expects him to extend his current deal.
Redknapp said: “I think he [Levy] will get him [Kane] to sign another contract.
“I don’t think he will be keen to move now. He wanted to go to Manchester City. I think he would have gone two years ago.
“His contract is amazing. He is a family man. I just don’t think he will move.”
Should the club be able to secure Kane’s long-term future and bring a shrewd operator to the dugout, the future may yet look bright for Spurs.
Yet failure to secure Champions League football next term could leave them without their star man or an elite coach at the helm.
