Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a boost in their possible pursuit of a new manager, with a reported target of chairman Daniel Levy's now turning down a new contract at his current club.
Postecoglou could leave Tottenham after dismal Premier League season
It has been a domestic season to forget for current head coach Ange Postecoglou, who's managed to equal Spurs' record for most Premier League defeats in a single season with 19.
The unwanted record could yet be broken with three top flight matches still to play this term, with Postecoglou's saving grace coming in the form of their Europa League campaign.
If Tottenham get past Bodo/Glimt in the second leg of their semi-final in Norway this evening, the Lilywhites will book a place in the Bilbao final later this month, where they have a golden chance to win their first piece of major silverware since 2008.
However, this still may not be enough to save Postecoglou, with some reports claiming the 59-year-old could leave north London regardless of their success in Europe (The Telegraph).
In the event Levy does hand Postecoglou his P45, a succession of candidates are being tipped as potential candidates to replace the Australian, including Fulham boss Marco Silva.
The Portuguese has impressed at Craven Cottage this season, nearly guiding Fulham to a European place, and they briefly contended for a spot in next season's Champions League draw.
This is despite the gap in quality between his Fulham side and fellow English competitors, not to mention lack of financial firepower, with Whites vice-chairman Tony Khan admitting that he'd absolutely love to keep Silva after his stellar work in west London.
"Marco is a huge, huge asset to Fulham Football Club," he added. "He is such an amazing person, and he is so important to the football club. Marco has a great relationship with my father and myself, and we really love Marco, and we want him to stay at Fulham Football Club forever. He is a huge part of what we have got going for the future and the present, and he is a great man."
Marco Silva rejects new Fulham contract amid Tottenham interest
However, there are reports that Silva is tempted by a move to Tottenham, with journalist Pete O'Rourke claiming earlier this week that the 47-year-old is open to the prospect of a switch to N17. Now, fellow reporter Graeme Bailey has shared another significant update in a piece for The Boot Room.
It is believed Silva has rejected Fulham's offer of a new contract, amid interest from Tottenham and Saudi side Al-Hilal, which is made all the more worrying given the 47-year-old is about to enter the final year of his current deal.
If Tottenham wish to appoint the former Everton and Hull City boss, this could come as a real boost, and they can bypass any talks with Fulham by triggering Silva's £8 million release clause.