Napoli's asking price for Carlo Ancelotti saw Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy drop interest in the Italian last week.

The Sun says Spurs considered the Napoli boss, 60, for the vacancy but the word from Italy was that his club would need a big payout and also keep him until the new year.

That left the door wide open for Jose Mourinho to step in and take charge.

Mourinho, who stepped in for the sacked Mauricio Pochettino, oversaw a debut win at West Ham on Saturday.

Mourinho was hired just 11 hours after the 47-year-old was sacked.