Tottenham Hotspur have now been handed a big blow in their search for a second sporting director ahead of the summer transfer window.Tottenham Hotspur are one of a handful of football clubs to have adopted a two sporting director model in recent years.The Lilywhites kick-started that late last year following the reappointment of Fabio Paratici, who came in to join Johan Lange in the capacity of a second sporting director.However, Paratici has since departed Spurs for Fiorentina, leaving the second director role vacant, one that Tottenham are looking to fill.Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesTottenham snubbed by Dougie Freedman amid sporting director searchA few names have been linked with the director role at Tottenham in recent weeks, with the Lilywhites looking to make an appointment before the summer window.Former Crystal Palace director Dougie Freedman, who currently plies his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al-Diriyah, has been one of those reported to be on Spurs’ radar.The former Palace director was responsible for the signing of top talents, including Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, which explains Tottenham’s interest. However, detailing the situation and Freedman’s stance, Miguel Delaney revealed that Spurs have been turned down in their approach, writing in The Independent’s Inside Football newsletter.He said: “Amid ongoing uncertainty about Igor Tudor’s future and Tottenham Hotspur’s plans, they have been turned down by Dougie Freedman.“The former Crystal Palace executive is widely regarded as one of the best recruitment figures in the game, having recently moved to the Saudi Pro League. “Spurs saw him as a potential new director of football, but he is understood to have made it clear that he is not interested in moving at this time.”Spurs sporting director search must shift after Freedman rejectionTottenham have no choice now but to turn to other sporting directors in the coming weeks, given Freedman’s stance.Luckily, he is not the only one said to be on the radar of Spurs, who are also understood to be considering Chelsea’s Paul Winstanley.Paul actually worked with Spurs icon Mauricio Pochettino for one season during the Argentine’s spell in south west London.Pochettino has also been linked with the Tottenham job ahead of the summer, and perhaps if he is appointed, that could help lure Winstanley away from the Blues.Nevertheless, it will also be a difficult task to convince the Blues director to switch to Tottenham at this time. It remains to be seen what Spurs’ next move will be.READ MORE: Tottenham send scouts to watch Troy Parrott’s £26m teammates, but Crystal Palace want him tooThe post Tottenham receive gutting rejection from 'one of the best recruitment figures in the game' appeared first on Spurs Web.