In a season full of downs, the last week has been particularly brutal for Tottenham Hotspur.
With their Premier League campaign going about as badly as it possibly could, the Lilywhites knew that the cup competitions were their best bet for any sort of success this year.
However, within the last seven days, the North Londoners have been booted out of the League Cup at the hands of Liverpool and the FA Cup courtesy of Aston Villa, which has made Ange Postecoglou’s already difficult position appear even more untenable.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou reacts after the match
The Australian has been under increasing pressure over the last few months, and based on recent reports, Daniel Levy and Co could have already identified the man they want to replace him.
Tottenham Hotspur’s manager search
Now, it’s certainly true that, so far this season, Postecoglou has been outrageously unlucky with injuries, so much so that he’s barely been able to field his first-choice backline, and in recent weeks, the same could also be said for the frontline.
Micky van de Ven walks off injured for Tottenham
However, with more losses than wins in the league and now two cup exits in the same week, it would be fair to say that much of the patience people had for him is starting to wear thin, and it now appears as if the club are looking for his replacement.
According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, the game against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon will be crucial in deciding the Australian’s future, and should he lead the team to another defeat, the club has identified three potential replacements.
andoni-iraola-bournemouth
The first two are former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzić and Brentford boss Thomas Frank, but perhaps the most exciting and intriguing option would be Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.
The report claims that the Spaniard is ‘liked a lot’ by Tottenham, although given his commitment to the Cherries, getting him to N17 before the end of the season would be incredibly difficult.
andoni-iraola-bournemouth
However, even if they have to wait until the summer, he’d still be worth it.
Why Iraola would be a great appointment
While there are a number of reasons why Iraola would be an excellent appointment for Spurs to make in the summer, arguably the most important is that he has a track record of surpassing expectations.
Andoni Iraola-Bournemouth
For example, his first job in management saw him lead Cypriot side AEK Larnaca into the Europa League group stage for the second time in their history.
Then, in Spain, he masterminded second-tier Mirandes’ surprise run to the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, and then, following that, he took Rayo Vallecano from the second tier and left them as a midtable side in La Liga when he took over at Bournemouth.
Since moving to England, the “insane” tactician, as dubbed by talent scout Jacek Kulig, has steered the Cherries from relegation candidates to a team pushing for European football, and one that has already beaten the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Spurs.
Moreover, the Usurbil-born coach has the record to back up respected football analyst Ben Mattinson’s claim that he’s “one of the best in the league”.
Iraola vs Postecoglou (24/25 PL)
Manager
Iraola
Postecoglou
Games
24
24
Wins
11
8
Draws
7
3
Losses
6
13
Points per game
1.67
1.13
All Stats via Transfermarkt
For example, in 24 league games this season, he has overseen 11 wins, seven draws and six defeats, which works out to an average of 1.67 points per game.
In contrast, in his 24 league games in charge of the Lilywhites this season, Postecoglou has overseen just eight wins, three draws and 13 losses, which comes out to an average of just 1.13 points per game.
Rayo Vallecano coach Andoni Iraola
Ultimately, it will prove challenging to prise Iraola away from Bournemouth in the summer, but Spurs remain a big club, and if they push hard for him, there is every chance they will get him.
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