Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou is under increasing pressure as Spurs stumble through a poor run of form ahead of their crucial Europa League quarter-final second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Sunday’s 4-2 defeat to relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers has left Tottenham languishing in 15th place in the Premier League and on course for their worst league finish since the 1993/94 season.
While Postecoglou usually delivers silverware in his second season at clubs, his only remaining chance to uphold that trend lies in Europe. With the tie level at 1-1, Thursday night’s clash in Germany is now make-or-break.
A managerial change will likely be considered in the summer, regardless of whether Spurs lift the Europa League trophy. The season has been poor across the board, and even a European title might not change the negative aura around the Australian tactician.
According to Ben Jacobs via TEAMtalk, Tottenham are preparing for all outcomes. Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola is high on the shortlist if Postecoglou departs, though the Cherries remain determined to keep the Spaniard.
Fulham boss Marco Silva and Brentford gaffer Thomas Frank are also under consideration. All three are decent choices, but the Spurs hierarchy must aim higher to break out from this mediocre cycle.
Tottenham need a world-class manager – View
None of the three options above have led a top-flight team to a league title. In the Premier League, none of those names have managed to finish in the top six.
If Spurs are keen on ending this frustrating wait for a trophy, they need a manager with battle-tested tactics who can potentially lead this Tottenham team to a first league title since 1961.
The likes of Simone Inzaghi of Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid stalwart Diego Simeone, and Kjetil Knutsen, who leads the ever-exciting Bodø/Glimt, should be on the Tottenham wishlist, not placeholders that do not move the needle.
The Tottenham hierarchy needs to aim high to meet fan expectations, especially after the horrendous season the club has endured. Spurs must show ambition with their next managerial hire or risk alienating supporters.