what a huge loss, Borussia Dortmund stole ‘world class’ manager Tottenham had as potential Ange Postecoglou replacement
Tottenham Hotspur’s season has taken a nosedive in recent weeks, with Ange Postecoglou facing an uphill battle to turn things around. Spurs currently sit in 15th place in the Premier League, having suffered six defeats in their last seven league outings.
The Australian manager has had to contend with a significant injury crisis, missing key players like Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, and Guglielmo Vicario in defence. On top of that, attacking stars James Maddison, Dominic Solanke, and Brennan Johnson have also been sidelined, further hampering the team’s performances.
Despite these mitigating factors, Daniel Levy is already laying the groundwork for potential changes at the managerial level, as concerns grow over whether Postecoglou can recover from this slump.
Spurs Exploring Alternative Options
While Postecoglou has not been officially placed on the chopping block, reports suggest that Levy is keeping his options open. According to TBR Football, Tottenham hold an admiration for a number of alternative coaches, including Thomas Frank (Brentford), Kieran McKenna (Ipswich Town), Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth), and Marco Silva (Fulham).
One of the names that had reportedly been under consideration was Niko Kovač, a manager with experience at Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich, and Monaco. However, that possibility has now vanished, with Borussia Dortmund officially appointing the 53-year-old as their new head coach to replace Nuri Şahin.
Niko Kovač No Longer in the Running for Spurs
According to the Daily Mail, Tottenham had been monitoring Kovač as a potential candidate, impressed by his track record in both the Bundesliga and Ligue 1. However, with Dortmund securing his services, he is no longer an option for Levy should Spurs decide to make a managerial change.
For now, Postecoglou still has time to steady the ship, with reports suggesting that he will be given at least until the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool to demonstrate an improvement. If results do not pick up by then, serious discussions about his future could begin.
Paulo Fonseca Also Off the Table
Another manager who had previously been linked to Tottenham is Paulo Fonseca, a coach Levy has admired for several years. In fact, Tottenham had agreed terms with Fonseca back in 2021, only for then-sporting director Fabio Paratici to push for the appointment of Nuno Espírito Santo instead—a decision that ultimately backfired.
Fonseca, currently managing Lille, has now been confirmed as the next head coach of Lyon, replacing Pierre Sage. This move eliminates another potential option for Spurs should they decide to part ways with Postecoglou.
Postecoglou’s Future Hangs in the Balance
With both Kovač and Fonseca off the market, Tottenham’s managerial alternatives are becoming more limited. However, Thomas Frank, Kieran McKenna, Andoni Iraola, and Marco Silva remain viable candidates if Spurs ultimately decide to make a change.
For now, Postecoglou still holds the reins, but he is under increasing pressure to turn Tottenham’s season around. If results do not improve soon, Levy may have no choice but to accelerate his contingency plans—even if some of his preferred candidates are no longer available.
