Tottenham targeting “exciting” manager likened to Pochettino

Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly made contact with an “exciting” manager who’s drawn comparisons with former Spurs favourite Mauricio Pochettino, as chairman Daniel Levy draws up a shortlist of potential Ange Postecoglou replacements.

The managers targeted by Tottenham to replace Ange Postecoglou

It has been a dismal second full season in charge of Spurs for Postecoglou, with his side languishing in 14th after 15 Premier League defeats in total.

Amid the mounting pressure surrounding his long-term future, Fabrizio Romano stated earlier this week that Postecoglou is reliant on a good run in the Europa League to save his job at Spurs, and if they fail to impress, then it is highly likely he’ll be replaced.

This echos a previous report from The Athletic, who claim that Postecoglou’s future is in “serious doubt”, so it appears the Australian’s potential dismissal is far more likely than not at this stage.

Taking this into account, Levy is now believed to be making contingency plans in the event Postecoglou is indeed shown his P45.

Tottenham have shortlisted Brentford boss Thomas Frank

as a target, according to reports, while it is also believed that Fulham manager Marco Silva is under consideration at Spurs as well.

Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi, who is currently attempting to defend the Nerazzuri’s Scudetto title in a close race with Antonio Conte’s Napoli, also has admirers at N17 (Fabrizio Romano).

However, one name who stands above all the aforementioned candidates is Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.

The 42-year-old has done a very impressive job since joining them from Rayo Vallecano, with the Cherries competing for a European place and maintaining real consistency throughout 2024/2025 despite injury problems.

Iraola is reportedly Tottenham’s top target to replace Postecoglou as a result, and it is believed that Spurs have already made contact with the Spaniard’s close circle (GiveMeSport).

Andoni Iraola an “exciting” manager target for Tottenham

Now, speaking on The Athletic FC podcast, journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke has shared insight on the tactician after this rumoured approach by Tottenham.

Pitt-Brooke claims that Iraola is viewed as the next exciting young manager in football, likening him to former Lilywhites head coach Pochettino, who was a fan favourite for many years and guided them to an unprecedented Champions League final.

“There just seems to be a consensus in football that he is the next new, exciting young manager,” said Pitt-Brooke.

“I think he is at that sweet spot where he’s only 42, so he’s young enough to be original, brave and really convinced about the strength of his ideas, but he’s also experienced enough that his ideas have been tested.

“He did really well in Spain at Rayo Vallecano, and then he came over to Bournemouth and done well, so from a Tottenham point of view, if you’re thinking who reminds us most of Mauricio Pochettino in 2014, then Iraola is the obvious choice.”

It is worth noting that Iraola’s contract, which expires in 2026, also includes a £10-11 million release clause, so Spurs know the price of his appointment.

The main obstacle will lie in Iraola’s willingness to join the north Londoners, considering the excellent job he’s doing at Bournemouth right now.