Too bad Tottenham have clear Ange Postecoglou replacement as sack looms after Leicester loss
Tottenham Hotspur might not need to look far for their next managerial appointment if Ange Postecoglou is shown the door in the coming days. With the Australian’s tenure under intense scrutiny following another lackluster result, the opportunity to approach Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola could be one that Spurs cannot afford to overlook.
Postecoglou’s position is becoming increasingly precarious after Tottenham’s dismal 2-1 home defeat to Leicester City on Sunday. This marked their 13th Premier League loss in just 23 matches this season—surpassing the total number of defeats (12) from the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign, during which Spurs secured a fifth-place finish under the Australian’s stewardship.
Despite the goodwill he garnered last season, the current campaign has been nothing short of a nightmare. Tottenham now sit in a perilous 15th position, hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone. Reflecting on his situation, Postecoglou admitted: “I’m a football manager, and I get judged on results—that is the way of the world.”
While Postecoglou’s attacking style of football earned him widespread praise during the early stages of his tenure, Spurs’ recent results have severely tested fans’ patience. The club has suffered eight defeats in their last 10 league matches, a downward spiral that has been met with growing unrest from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium faithful. The loud boos that echoed around the ground on Sunday underscored the mounting dissatisfaction with the 59-year-old’s management.
In contrast, Iraola has been steadily enhancing his reputation. The Spanish coach has transformed Bournemouth into one of the Premier League’s surprise packages this season. Currently sitting seventh in the table, the Cherries are not just punching above their weight but also dreaming of European football. Iraola’s side is an impressive 16 points ahead of Tottenham—a remarkable turnaround considering that, as recently as October 2023, the Spaniard was reportedly one defeat away from losing his job.
Fifteen months later, Iraola’s tactical acumen and adaptability have made Bournemouth a formidable force. This season, the Cherries have defeated some of the league’s most highly regarded managers, including Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola, Ruben Amorim, Enzo Maresca, and Eddie Howe. Their latest triumph—a stunning 5-0 demolition of high-flying Nottingham Forest—further cemented Iraola’s credentials.
What makes Iraola’s achievements even more noteworthy is his ability to navigate a crippling injury crisis. Despite losing both Evanilson and Enes Ünal, his two primary strikers, to long-term injuries, the 42-year-old refused to bemoan his bad luck. Instead, he devised creative solutions to keep his team competitive. Justin Kluivert, deployed as a makeshift ‘false nine,’ has flourished, scoring seven goals in six matches. Meanwhile, previously unheralded players like Antoine Semenyo, Dango Ouattara, and Milos Kerkez have risen to prominence under his guidance.
For Tottenham, Iraola represents the kind of manager they desperately need—a tactician capable of punching above his weight, thriving on a limited budget, and overcoming adversity. While Postecoglou can point to the club’s injury struggles—key players like Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, and Micky van de Ven have missed significant portions of the season—the pressure on inexperienced replacements such as Archie Gray and Antonin Kinsky has exposed the team’s fragility.
Still, Daniel Levy faces a difficult decision. Postecoglou’s supporters argue that, with his injured stars back in the fold, results could quickly improve. However, the clock is ticking, and patience is running thin. Spurs cannot afford to gamble with their Premier League status, and Iraola’s name looms large as a potential savior.
The question remains whether Iraola would be willing to swap Bournemouth’s promising project for a Tottenham side in decline. While the Cherries’ upward trajectory is appealing, the stature of Tottenham—a club with a world-class stadium and a squad brimming with young talent—could prove irresistible.
As of now, there is no concrete indication that Spurs have made contact with Iraola. However, with Postecoglou’s future hanging by a thread, it would be wise for Tottenham to place the Spaniard at the top of their shortlist. For Levy, the solution to the club’s woes might be right in front of him—it’s just a matter of whether he acts before it’s too late.
