Roma general manager Franco Baldini is reportedly poised to snub the chance to take up a director of football role at Tottenham Hotspur.

The 51-year-old, who worked alongside Fabio Capello in the English national team as his assistant manager, was believed to be at the top of Spurs's shortlist as the North London club try to implement a European style set-up.

While manager Andre Villas-Boas is thought to have recommended Baldini to chairman Daniel Levy, it is understood that the Italian has opted to stay with Roma, according to the Daily Mail.

Tottenham's last director of football was Frenchman Damien Comolli, who left the club in 2008.