“I am not saying that I have done it now, but it is not forbidden that I talk to other clubs.”

Ryan Mason has been in caretaker charge of Tottenham and indicated earlier this month that he was ready to take on the position permanently.

“I’ve always said I’m ready,” he said. “I’m ready for this moment. I feel like I can help the club. That’s my general feeling and I’ll stay true to that. That’s been my feeling ever since the club trusted me to take on this responsibility.

“Obviously, you mentioned Eddie Howe and he is an incredible manager. He’s an inspiration. I think one, probably not spoken about a great deal as well, is Gary O’Neil. The job that he’s done (at Bournemouth) has gone under the radar a little bit but a young English manager and his first job.”