Erik ten Hag remains in contention for the vacant Tottenham Hotspur job despite Paulo Fonseca being in advanced talks with the club...

What's the word?

That's according to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who delivered a major update on the situation to the Guardian on Wednesday evening.

He claims that the North London outfit have been recommended the 48-year-old former AS Roma boss by their incoming sporting director Fabio Paratici and the two parties are in negotiations over a three-year deal.

However, it's also suggested that the Ajax head coach is still in the running to take over from Jose Mourinho, despite the Eredivisie giants having triggered a one-year extension to his deal.

After recent blows to Mauricio Pochettino and Antonio Conte, this saga appears to be far from over.

It's not too late, Levy

And that could be fantastic news for the Lilywhites faithful, who have been less than impressed with news of Fonseca becoming their next manager.

It's not too late for chairman Daniel Levy and the club's hierarchy to gauge the reaction here and make amends, with ten Hag the clear favourable option if it's indeed between the two coaches.

The reaction to football.london reporter Alasdair Gold's tweet on the bombshell speaks volumes - even if it is a small sample size, it does highlight how the vast majority are feeling in N17 right now.

For example, the arrival of Fonseca was described as the "cheap" option. Another wondered whether he could get a refund on his season ticket as he felt the fanbase were being "mugged off," whilst a further fan went as far as suggesting that Spurs would be in a relegation battle next season.

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That's merely three responses but when trawling through hundreds more, it's hard to find anyone behind the potential appointment.

It's hard to disagree with them either. After all, going from the likes of Pochettino and Conte to a man that failed at Roma is not only uninspiring but it lacks ambition.

The Portuguese was replaced by none other than Jose Mourinho too, only fuelling supporters with further ammunition.

By contrast, there would be a lot to be excited about with the 51-year-old Dutchman, not at least because his brand of football has been inspired by the likes of Pep Guardiola and Johan Cruyff.

According to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, he's "one of the most exciting coaching talents in world football" right now.

As relayed by This is Futbol, much of the Spurs faithful were behind ten Hag becoming their next manager, with one fan even claiming that he would rather him than Pochettino.

Fonseca struggled to surpass fifth place during his time in charge of the Stadio Olimpico outfit and was embarrassed when he accidentally made six subs during a defeat to Spezia in a Coppa Italia Round of 16 clash.

The fact that Romano says ten Hag is still in contention is one small glimmer of hope for the Spurs fanbase. Let's hope Levy changes his mind before it's too late.

AND in other news, Paratici can deliver instant Spurs masterstroke by axing £120k-per-week "absolute liability"...