Mancini not the man

Mancini is on the list but names above him could include UAE coach Roy Hodgson and Italy manager Giovanni Trapattoni. But ex-Bologna coach Francesco Guidolin and PSV's Guus Hiddink have been ruled out.

Spurs sources confirmed to Standard Sport that they are locked in talks with their main target although his arrival later this month is far from certain.

"We've identified the man we want and we are in negotiations with him. Whether or not we can get him away from his current employment before the end of the season remains to be seen. There is always the possibility," the source said.

If the talks are successful, the new man could even be in charge before Spurs face Liverpool on 17 January.

Spurs' move to appoint a coach in the next few weeks represents a U-turn by Levy who only announced at the club's AGM last month that Pleat and Hughton would remain in charge until the summer. But five successive defeats and the prospect of relegation with the loss of at least £20million as a result, has forced Levy to change his mind.

British managers like Martin O'Neill at Celtic, Blackburn's Graeme Souness and Charlton's Alan Curbishley - who were all being considered for the job - have been struck off the list because of the club's desire to follow a continental management structure.

Levy wants to get his man before the month is out and restore confidence to the players, club and the increasingly anxious supporters.

Hodgson was linked with the England post before the appointment of Sven-Goran Eriksson and is a highly-respected coach throughout the world.

The structure being proposed by Spurs would suit Hodgson and the former Blackburn manager is a good friend of Pleat.

Hodgson, currently in charge of the UAE, recently guided them to the finals of this summer's Asian Cup, to be held in China.

Meanwhile, Trapattoni is another name on the revamped Spurs shortlist but he is unlikely to walk away from the Italy job ahead of the European Championship in Portugal this summer.