Three managers Tottenham should consider to replace Ange Postecoglou

Reports have emerged that Tottenham are set to part ways with Ange Postecoglou at the end of the season, regardless of whether or not Spurs win the Europa League.

While Postecoglou has once again suffered with injuries, the club’s form hasn’t improved even when he’s been able to welcome back most of his star players, and the fact they’re 16th in the Premier League table towards the end of April can’t be explained away by injuries alone.

Postecoglou has never had Spurs looking like a capable defensive outfit, and despite the best efforts of Guglielmo Vicario, only four sides have kept fewer clean sheets than Tottenham this season.

The club are keen to avoid the trap that Manchester United fell into last summer, ignoring a season of mediocrity that culminated in the glory of a cup win, and attentions will quickly turn to the Australian’s successor.

Below, we look at three names in line for the Tottenham job.

Mauricio Pochettino

The sacking of Mauricio Pochettino was a shock to Spurs fans, as the man who’d taken them to a first UEFA Champions League final was removed from post just months later.

What made the sacking even harsher was that Pochettino hadn’t been backed in the transfer market as well as he might have, and chairman Daniel Levy is fortunate the Argentine still holds a candle for the club.

After leaving Spurs, Pochettino joined Paris Saint-Germain but failed like so many other managers have and was dismissed after two seasons.

Pochettino then joined Chelsea – hardly the most stable of clubs – and despite seeming to finally get the Blues moving in the right direction, the club parted ways with Pochettino at the end of last season.

Pochettino now manages the United States national team, but could jump at the chance to return to North London if the circumstances were right.

The 53-year-old said as recently as last month that he would one day like to come back in a move fans would likely welcome.

Andoni Iraola

The move to sack Gary O’Neil from his position as Bournemouth manager looked harsh at first glance, though that was quickly explained by the appointment of Andoni Iraola.

A top class operator who’d impressed during his time at Rayo Vallecano, it’s long been apparent that Iraola is destined for bigger things.

How suitable a fit Iraola may be for Tottenham remains to be seen, though, with his high-intensity style not necessarily easy to transpose on Spurs and their existing players.

Despite the wonders Iraola has worked on the south coast, there are question marks surrounding Iraola’s ability to maintain his team’s intensity throughout a whole campaign, having tailed off towards the end of both this season and last.

Marco Silva

The only question around Marco Silva’s managerial ability is whether or not he can implement his philosophy at a bigger club.

Bringing Fulham to the Premier League by absolutely annihilating the opposition and scoring a whopping 106 goals, Silva ended Fulham’s yo-yoing between the divisions and the Cottagers look like an established Premier League outfit once again.

Fulham came 10th on their return to the Premier League and came 13th the following season, despite losing Aleksandar Mitrovic’s goals. They then lost Joao Palhinha in midfield and are on course for another mid-table finish.

While the league performances have been impressive, what has perhaps been Silva’s biggest strength is his player development.

Antonee Robinson has blossomed into one of the league’s most dangerous wing-backs, Calvin Bassey has recaptured the form he showed at Rangers, Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe have justified their hefty price tags after being deemed surplus to requirements at Arsenal, while the likes of Sander Berge, Andreas Pereira and Issa Diop have all played useful roles.

Tottenham have floundered in the transfer market in recent years, and a developmental coach like Silva might not be the worst option for the club to consider.

Liam Williams

• Tottenham Hotspur F.C.
• Premier League
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