Former Barcelona technical director Txiki Begiristain is the new favourite to become Tottenham Hotspur's director of football after Franco Baldini committed his future to Roma.

The former assistant to Fabio Capello during his tenure as manager of Real Madrid and England had been linked with the role as Spurs look to return to the management structure they abandoned in 2008.

But the Italian has ruled out a potential move to White Hart Lane as he looks to continue his good work in Serie A.

Txiki Begiristain
Begiristain left Barcelona in 2010. Reuters

"I have nothing to say on this matter as I have an obligation over here with Roma, it is a long project to which I am committed," he told ESPN.

Begiristain is now reportedly the front runner for the role alongside Andre Villas-Boas following his departure from Barcelona in 2010 along with former president Joan Laporta.

The 48 year old spent a successful seven-year stint as a player at the Nou Camp helping the club to eight major honours including the European Cup in 1992.

Tottenham are keen to return to the director of football structure after the position was left vacant in 2008 following the sacking of Damian Comolli and manager Juande Ramos.

The likes of David Pleat and Frank Arnesen have both taken up the role in previous years for Spurs, but four years on from the last director of football, boss Andre Villas-Boas is keen to see the position filled.

"I have worked with one at Porto and Academica and had no issues with that and I certainly promote that," Villas-Boas said.

"In the end the structure that surrounds the football club is down to the chairman. I certainly think he is looking to further evolve in terms of the structure that surrounds the club."

"It is not up to me to decide, it's up to the chairman," he added. "There are discussions and talks but in the end it is a club decision."

With experience gathered from one of the world's biggest clubs, Begiristain is likely to be welcome asset behind the scenes at Tottenham.

A unnamed Tottenham insider told ESPN: "We are reviewing our recruitment department and it would be wrong to assume anything as we are still in a review process."

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