Tottenham are on the hunt for a new manager after the club confirmed on Friday afternoon that they have parted ways with Ange Postecoglou.
The 59-year-old’s future had been the subject of speculation throughout what proved to be a disappointing season for the north London side, as they finished 17th in the Premier League and just outside the relegation zone. While there was some belief that Spurs’ Europa League triumph, coupled with the significant injury crisis Postecoglou had to manage might have earned him more time the club has ultimately decided to move on.
In a statement, Spurs confirmed that following a thorough performance review and period of reflection, Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties. The club cited the need to compete more consistently across multiple fronts and believes that a change in leadership gives them the best chance of doing so.
So, who could be the one to lead Spurs forward? Football.london takes a look at five of the leading candidates currently linked with the role...
Thomas Frank
Front and centre of the speculation is Brentford boss Thomas Frank. The Dane has been in charge of the west London club since 2018 and has enjoyed notable success, not only guiding them to Premier League promotion in 2021, but also establishing them as a stable top-flight side.
According to several reports, including The Guardian, Spurs have already explored the possibility of bringing Frank to north London. While this suggests he is among the leading candidates, it has also been noted that appointing him could come at a significant financial cost.
Marco Silva
Another Premier League manager attracting interest is Fulham’s Marco Silva. The Portuguese coach brings a wealth of experience in the English top flight, having previously managed Watford and Everton before taking charge at Craven Cottage.
Last season, he guided Fulham to an 11th-place finish in the league, although the team were considered strong contenders for European qualification at various points during the campaign. It’s also worth noting that Spurs are not the only club keeping tabs on Silva - he was reportedly on Juventus’ radar, had they decided to part ways with Igor Tudor.
Mauricio Pochettino
The romantic appointment would be former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine has previously admitted he could see himself returning to the club one day, but such a move appears highly complicated and, so far, there have been no concrete reports suggesting he is currently under consideration.
Pochettino is currently in charge of the United States men’s national team, and a significant compensation fee would reportedly be required to prise him away from the US Soccer Federation. With the World Cup set to take place on home soil next summer, it would also be difficult to lure him away at such a crucial stage in his side’s preparations.
Andoni Iraola
Heads turned in June 2023 when Bournemouth sacked Gary O'Neil in favour of bringing Andoni Iraola to the Vitality Stadium. It was a controversial move at the time given O'Neil had been performing well, but it's a decision that has evidently paid off as Bournemouth have been one of the most exciting teams in the Premier League this year under Iraola.
The Cherries narrowly missed out on European competition in ninth, but it is not yet known what the future holds for the Spaniard. Bournemouth will need to undergo somewhat of a re-build this summer with a number of top clubs poaching their big stars, as Dean Huijsen joined Real Madrid and Liverpool are pushing to sign left back Milos Kerkez.
Edin Terzic
Edin Terzic spent his early coaching career working under Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, primarily within the club’s academy. He later took on roles as interim manager and then as permanent head coach between 2022 and 2024, guiding the Bundesliga outfit to a Champions League final during that period.
He stepped down from his role by mutual agreement at the end of the 2023/24 season and has yet to return to management. His availability could make him an attractive prospect, and he has been linked with a handful of roles over the past 12 months, including a potential move to Roma.