Tottenham legend Ledley King 'in talks to join Jose Mourinho's coaching staff'

Ledley King is in talks with Tottenham's hierarchy about joining Jose Mourino's first team staff, according to reports.

King, 39, has been a club ambassador since retiring as a result of persistent knee injuries back in 2012 but is keen to work in a training ground capacity.

The former England international has already helped Mourinho by working with Tottenham's defenders during several training sessions.

According to The Telegraph, It now seems likely he will join the Portuguese's first team staff in some capacity, potentially as as a replacement for departing analyst Ricardo Formosinho.

Formosinho, 63, has been part of Mourinho's technical staff since 2016, when he was appointed senior technical scout at Manchester United.

He also held a coaching role alongside Mourinho during his time at FC Porto and was part of Real Madrid's scouting department under the Portuguese.

On Friday, Mourinho explained the reasons behind his exit and his plan to replace him.

He said: ‘Ricardo is leaving and he's leaving because he feels that he would like to have, in this stage of his career, probably one of his last opportunities, due to his age, to be a head coach.'

'I'm not going to say where of course, that's up to him, but he's leaving and we all wish him all the best.

‘Who is coming to replace him? I prefer that it's the club that's going to inform you about that but my decision was to go again in one direction that I had before in other clubs which is to help local people to develop, instead of bringing one more assistant with me.

‘So it'll be someone with a history with the club, connected with the club and let's try to give him an opportunity because I'm not really a fan of people moving with a lot of assistants and forgetting local talent and people from the house.’

King won't assume the exact same role as Formosinho but will be tasked with helping Mourinho to analyse opposition sides and prepare his Spurs team for facing different teams.

King spent his entire 13-year career with Spurs and lifted the League Cup in 2008 but injuries forced his retirement in 2012 at the age of 30.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy continued to offer King new contracts despite his persistent knee problems and is supportive of his move into a backroom role.

Mourinho will hope his addition will help Spurs to improve next term after a disappointing campaign that has seen them concede 46 goals - the second highest in the top 10.