Spurs left searching across Europe again

Perhaps the obvious flaw in the system - what happens if Arnesen goes too? - did occur to the Spurs board at the time, but they could not have expected to be faced with the predicament any time soon.

In fact, it is unlikely that any contingency plan was even in place for the scenario brought on by the Dane's courtship by Chelsea.

It would have been far more likely for the sporting director to leave when the team were doing badly - as in Pleat's situation - rather than on an upward curve. In which case, Spurs could have axed the coach too and started with a fresh pair. As things stand, their progress under Arnesen and Jol presents a dilemma.

The club are desperate not to lose the Dutchman so must find a technical director who he approves of. However, in doing so, they will undermine the principle of a football chief looking after the club's long-term interests regardless of the identity of the head coach.

It is a problem for Levy, but not an insurmountable one - providing the right candidate can be found. Successful English technical directors are uncommon so the club will almost certainly look to Europe.

But, before digging out his passport and packing the executive travelbag, Levy may be advised to look at this month's issue of World Soccer magazine. Their team of European football gurus have compiled a chart of the continent's top six technical directors which now reads like a shortlist for Arnesen's successor.

The No1 spot is occupied by the Chelsea-bound Dane but below him there are some worthy candidates. Klaus Allofs of Werder Bremen is at No2. He is lauded as an intelligent, meticulous operator who specialises in recruiting affordable talent. In 2004, unfashionable Bremen won the German double and made it through the group stages of the Champions League last season.

Below Allofs is rising star Damien Comolli who is only 33 but already working in a technical director role at French club St Etienne. Comolli is a protege of Arsene Wenger and worked with the Arsenal manager at Monaco and Grampus Eight. He has also scouted for the Gunners.

At No4 is Martin Van Geel, the Dutchman who directs UEFA Cup semi-finalists AZ Alkmaar. Like Arnesen, he is a former Ajax player and shares language, nationality and first name with Jol.

Van Geel specialises in working the Bosman free transfer system and is also credited with the coup of recruiting of Louis Van Gaal as replacement for Porto-bound coach Co Adriaanese.

Next is Pantaleo Corvino who oversees one of Italy's finest youth academies at Lecce. He has a good network of contacts for young players and recently sold 19-year-old Bulgarian Valery Bojinov to Fiorentina for £9million after picking him up for a minimal fee from a Maltese club. Lecce's first team consists of 50 per cent homegrown players.

Number six on the list is Sevilla's Ramon 'Monchi' Rodriguez. The sporting director responsible for finding Jose Reyes has made player sales totalling £33m since his appointment in 2000.

The Spurs job is an attractive one and the club claim to have already been inundated with applicants. It offers a high salary and a squad already brimming with high quality young players.

With Arnesen's list of summer transfer targets remaining in Spurs' possession, Levy and Jol will pursue players such as Wayne Routledge, Andy Johnson and Jermaine Jenas with vigour.

The squad will also benefit from a pre-season programme designed by Arnesen which will see them collect £1m from a trip to Korea before a series of UK-based friendlies. Spurs may still be reeling, but the right moves this summer could limit the damage of the Arnesen blow.