Gattuso ditched Tottenham talks because the club was 'in a bit of a mess'

Managerial talks between Gennaro Gattuso and Tottenham broke down because of 'mess' according to Lorenzo Insigne.

The diminutive Italy winger remains a close confidant of Gattuso after working under him at Napoli, and has offered a glimpse of what happened during the recent surprise negotiations.

Spurs had turned to Gattuso after failing to lure the likes of Erik ten Hag, Brendan Rodgers and Antonio Conte to the role.

The former AC Milan icon appeared poised to take the reins in north London, only for talks to once again spectacularly break down and Spurs head back to the drawing board.

Now, further details have emerged after Italy star Insigne, 30, revealed he has been in contact with Gattuso in recent days.

The pair still share a strong relationship, after Gattuso managed the winger while briefly in charge in Naples.

Speaking to Football Italia, Insigne said: 'We’ve texted each other, he told me there was a bit of mess.

'But now I am focused on the Euros, while he’s on holiday so I am not going to ask him such questions.'

Tottenham remain on the hunt for a manager, after sacking Jose Mourinho earlier in the year - just before the club were due to play in the Carabao Cup final.

Former player Ryan Mason was placed in interim charge of the club for the remainder of the season, despite being just 29-years-old at the time.

Paulo Fonseca, who Mourinho has replaced at Roma, had also been heavily linked with the role but conversations again broke down.

Just last week Spurs were also dealt another blow when Julen Lopetegui rejected a 'dizzying' offer to take over at the club, leaving chairman Daniel Levy scrambling to appoint a boss before pre-season begins.

Both Nuno Espirito Santo and Brighton's Graham Potter have also been linked with the position.