Sebastian Kehl rejects Tottenham role over strategic direction

Tottenham's search for a new sporting director has stalled after former Borussia Dortmund chief Sebastian Kehl turned down a move to north London. Negotiations reached an advanced stage and Kehl, 46, even travelled to London for face-to-face talks, but decided not to join the Premier League club following his farewell at Signal Iduna Park in May.

The key obstacle was a clash over the club's strategic direction. Disagreements on the long-term vision and the proposed hierarchy, particularly the extent of first-team manager Roberto De Zerbi's influence over recruitment, proved decisive, Sky said. Johan Lange remains in place as sporting director and was expected to work alongside Kehl on rebuilding the squad; for now he will continue liaising with the coaching staff to identify summer targets.

Kehl, who oversaw a highly regarded recruitment system in the Bundesliga, wanted a level of autonomy that did not fit with the proposed arrangement.

England, North London

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