Tottenham fans rage at Gennaro Gattuso becoming new No 1 choice as manager

Tottenham fans are about as furious with Gennaro Gattuo's emergence as their top managerial target as the Italian was himself during an infamous touchline spat in 2011.

Gattuso strangled Joe Jordan, Harry Redknapp's assistant manager, as tempers flared during a Champions League clash, and for a time he was public enemy No 1 for Spurs supporters.

Now, the combative former AC Milan midfielder is the top candidate to take over at Tottenham after a deal for Paulo Fonseca collapsed.

Gattuso had departed Napoli at the end of the season and been made the new Fiorentina boss but he left after just 23 days following a disagreement over transfer plans.

Now Spurs want him, but there appears to be almost unanimous disapproval among fans.

Many were quick to reference the Jordan incident with plenty joking that the 69-year-old Scot would make an unlikely assistant to Gattuso in north London.

'I reckon Gattuso with the returning Joe Jordan as assistant could be total box office', one wrote.

While another posted: 'Gattuso always has special love for Spurs', with the image of the Italian strangling Jordan.

Others lamented the fact that there seems to be a lack of coherent strategy to bring in a manager to replace Jose Mourinho, who was sacked before the end of last season.

'Gennaro Gattuso is now the number one target for manager', wrote one. 'The same Gennaro Gattuso that who just walked out of the Fiorentina job after 22 days because of disagreements over transfer strategies between him, Jorge Mendes and the board.

'Tottenham Hotspur football club everyone.'

Another wrote: 'Gattuso is as defensive as they come, he doesn't fit in any shape or form and has just left a job after 22 days due to transfer policy.

'It's the most ridiculous and incompetent appointment possible, so of course it will happen.'

Spurs initially wanted to bring back former boss Mauricio Pochettino but the Argentine is to remain at PSG. Then Antonio Conte was the top choice but those talks broke down, as did negotiations with Fonseca, the man Mourinho replaced at Roma.

Daniel Levy is desperate to appoint a new manager but it is proving tricky for the chairman to make the appointment.

Judging by the backlash from Gattuso's emergence as the new favourite, the response will be even more severe if the 43-year-old gets the job.