Tottenham Hotspur are facing a pivotal few weeks that could shape the club’s immediate future – both on and off the pitch – with reports suggesting Thiago Motta has emerged as a potential managerial target.
According to Italian outlet Tuttosport, Spurs have added Motta to their shortlist of possible replacements for Ange Postecoglou, who is facing the axe this summer.
Motta was in Postecoglou’s shoes only a couple of weeks ago, but unlike his Australian counterpart, the Italian head coach is now out of a job after his dismissal by Juventus.
Postecoglou could join him in the job market, but if Tottenham decide to switch things up, Motta could be handed the role now that he’s a free agent and open to a fresh challenge.
Postecoglou’s future at Tottenham is hanging on by a thread.
After overseeing one of the worst campaigns in the club’s history, the Europa League is his only attempt at redemption.
If he doesn’t steer the club to success in Europe’s second-tier tournament, Spurs could be forced to pull the trigger on the under-fire Australian manager.
For now, Tottenham’s domestic campaign may be dead in the water, but they still have plenty to fight for on the European front.
Winning the Europa League would end Tottenham’s 17-year trophy drought and maintain Postecoglou’s second-season silverware record.
It would also automatically qualify the club for next season’s Champions League, which would be a massive relief considering the miserable campaign they’ve had.
Postecoglou has lost the faith of the Spurs fans, but he still has the backing of some of the club’s executives, although he’s running out of time to prove his worth.
With a tricky quarter-final tie against two-time Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt on the cards, elimination is not an option for Postecoglou.
The fallout may cost him his job, with Motta standing by to take over if talks go smoothly.
Tottenham have also sounded out an interest in Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola as potential replacements for Postecoglou.