Spurs boss Christian Gross has refused to rule out reports he could quit White Hart Lane in a row over the appointment of a fitness trainer.

The Swiss coach, who has only been in charge a month, wants to hire specialist trainer, compatriot Fritz Schmid.

But the club has been unable to secure a work permit for Schmid.

Christian Gross talks to the BBC's Match of the Day (0' 39")

Asked if he would leave Spurs if Schmid was refused a permit, Gross said: "I can't answer this question right now."

But he added: "I signed a contract with Tottenham on condition that Fritz Schmid could work with me but I cannot answer the question now whether I am prepared to carry on without him.

"We will give it time to see if he can get his permit. But he is a highly-qualified man and I do not know why it is taking so long for the permit to come through.

"We just have to hope it will not be much longer because there is not anything else we can do with the Government office closed over the holiday period."

As Switzerland is not in the European Union, Schmid does not have the right to work under EU freedom of movement rulings.

A Department of Employment official said the application was being processed as quickly as possible but added: "It's difficult to give an exact timetable.

"Different cases take different amounts of time and every one is assessed on its merits.

"Mr Schmid is applying for a permit for a specialist position. He has to prove that he is uniquely-qualified, that the team needs him and that there are not people already in Britain who can do the job."
 

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