Deep dive: Who is the best bet to be next Tottenham manager?

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is feeling the heat after some dire results and bookies have wasted no time pricing up a market on his potential successor in North London, should a change be made in the coming weeks.

We have drafted in Tottenham fan, journalist and content creator Mitch Fretton (@Mitch_Fretton) to run the rule over the list of supposed candidates and try to identify where the value may lie for bettors.

It has been another tough year to be a Tottenham fan and no one is feeling the pressure more than head coach Ange Postecoglou.

The tough-talking Australian is dealing with the club’s worst injury crisis in two decades and although Spurs remain alive in three cup competitions – and are one game away from an appearance at Wembley – their Premier League form is a cause for serious concern.

Postecoglou is still being backed a large percentage of the fanbase and most have sympathy for the sticky situation he and his players are in but there is no doubt he faces a decisive few weeks of judgement from chairman Daniel Levy.

Should the club continue with their trend of dismissing managers every 18 months on average, there are some interesting names in the frame for the Spurs hotseat.

So, allow me to take you through the bookies’ top contenders and analyse who the market is dressing up as realistic options for the Lilywhites.

Next Tottenham manager betting odds

Edin Terzic (9/2)

Currently sitting as the betting favourite is former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic.

The 42-year-old is the only coach on this list that is currently without a club but he did have some notable success in Germany before last summer.

Terzic led Dortmund to the Champions League final last season and a fifth-placed finish in the Bundesliga, while also lifting the German Cup and Super Cup during his reign.

However, many fans complained about his tactics and defensive mindset, with veteran centre-back Mats Hummels even berating his former head coach ahead of the final against Real Madrid for his “submissive” set-up.

Still, Dortmund have declined since Terzic departed and have just sacked his replacement Nuri Sahin earlier this week.

As for whether his future lies at Tottenham, he would certainly be the easiest man to attain from the current shortlist due to his lack of commitments. His name has been floated about in recent reports as unrest continues to grow inside the Spurs camp.

Andoni Iraola (11/2)

Very few people would have predicted Bournemouth to be such a strong side this season but they have been a refreshing force against the mighty power of the big six.

Andoni Iraola has quickly built a reputation for playing attractive football on the South Coast and there is no denying that he is working wonders with the squad available to him at the Vitality Stadium.

His appointment as Tottenham’s new head coach would go down very well with fans, but the perhaps ironic consideration ahead of a potential move for the Spaniard is whether he would actually want to make the switch to London.

Alongside Nottingham Forest’s Nuno Espirito Santo, Iraola is on the shortlist to be crowned Premier League Manager of the Season and Bournemouth will be desperate to keep hold of him for as long as possible.

It seems more likely that he would consider the job in the summer rather than now, with the Cherries on the cusp of securing European football for the first time ever.

Still, there is no doubt Iraola is a strong contender, even if he finishes the campaign with his current club.

Iraola has been of the standout managers in the English top-flight this season. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Marco Silva (8/1)

Reports suggest Fulham are confident Marco Silva’s £8million release clause would deter any advances from Tottenham for their head coach, though that obstacle could theoretically be easily overcome by the eighth-richest club in the world.

The Portuguese tactician has plenty of Premier League experience following spells with Everton, Watford and Fulham and like Iraola, the 47-year-old has stood out alongside his players this season.

Silva is very balanced in his tactics, putting as much emphasis into his defensive work as his attacking plays, whereas Postecoglou’s current model at Spurs is to attack first and defend later.

His 8/1 odds suggest he is in the frame but possibly not top of any shortlists, which feels about right. His appointment would certainly split opinion among Spurs fans, too.

Those determined to see the back of their current manager are desperate to see anyone else come in. Yet others who have studied Silva’s previous stints will be less than impressed with his attitude, which is reminiscent of those shown by the likes of Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte in their ill-fated Spurs stints.

Kieran McKenna (9/1)

Ipswich’s story is a remarkable one and Kieran McKenna deserves a huge amount of credit for the work he has done guiding the Tractor Boys from League 1 to the top flight.

The 38-year-old has a history with Tottenham too, playing for their academy between 2002 and 2009, while he has also admitted to having a soft spot for the club in a previous interview.

It is hard to judge how his managerial style would merge with Spurs considering it is such a huge step up, especially as this season has been all about survival for the Suffolk side — although his Ipswich team did come to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and win in November.

In the Championship, McKenna’s side dominated his opponents and were the league’s top scorers, netting 92 times in 46 matches.

His 9/1 odds in this market are probably a fair reflection of the fact his experience at the top level is limited, which may cause Spurs to proceed with caution.

It is likely McKenna would not top the shortlist of potential Postecoglou replacements, but his name would more than likely be in the conversation as an option. Sometimes with great risk, comes great reward.

McKenna has guided Ipswich to back-to-back promotions over the last two seasons. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Thomas Frank (12/1)

Thomas Frank’s name is becoming increasingly linked with big managerial vacancies and the Dane looks set to be part of the rumour mill again should a gap at Tottenham open up.

After being linked with the Manchester United job following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, Frank has continued to showcase his tactical talents at Brentford, where he has always been presented with and excelled under a tight budget (music to the ears of Daniel Levy, I’m sure).

At 12/1, he may appear an outside chance at best. However, Spurs technical director Johan Lange is said to be a huge fan of the 51-year-old, who has previously admitted to being keen for a new challenge in the near future.

Should Tottenham come calling, Frank’s departure would no doubt sting for the Bees, despite sitting above his potential suitors in the league standings at the time of writing.

Fans would enjoy the fast-paced, exciting brand of the football the Danish grafter would bring with him but his name would not necessarily leave supporters bubbling with excitement either. He feels quite a safe choice in the grander scheme of things.   

Outside punts

While the market leaders may prove to be rather uninspiring to any Spurs fans reading along, I’m delighted to say there are some more glamorous, long-range punts who I think are also worth a mention.

Xavi (20/1)

Spain’s iconic midfielder Xavi is still searching for his next job in management and a move to the Premier League may pique his interest.

At 20/1, the ex-Barcelona boss could be tempted to teach Tottenham the ways of the Blaugrana after a successful spell as both a player and manager of the Catalan giants.

But something doesn’t feel quite right about the pairing of one of football’s greatest players and Spurs. It would undoubtedly be a shock if Levy was to somehow poach Xavi, but it is not entirely impossible either.

Julian Nagelsmann (25/1)

Spurs were linked with Julian Nagelsmann a few years ago following Antonio Conte’s departure but the former Bayern Munich manager took the gig as Germany’s head coach instead.

There has always been a feeling inside the realm of North London that Nagelsmann would be a good fit for the club, but luring him there would be a significant challenge given his more recent trajectory and current position.

With the World Cup in 2026, it would take an enormous effort to appoint the 37-year-old, which is reflected in his market value. Perhaps if Postecoglou rides out this current storm, that 25/1 may look more of a runner.

Mauricio Pochettino (50/1)

The same can be said for Spurs hero Mauricio Pochettino. The man who led them to the Champions League final in 2019 was touted for a magnificent return before Postecoglou was appointed, but Levy and Co opted to head down a different road.

Pochettino’s name has echoed around the stadium plenty of times since his dismissal six years ago, but like Nagelsmann, he is now tied down to an international contract.

The beloved Argentine is currently enjoying life as the USMNT coach ahead of a home World Cup next year, but he can never fully be ruled out of a return to Spurs.

It is very likely he makes his comeback at some point down the line.

Pochettino enjoyed a successful spell with Spurs before exiting in 2019. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Mitch Fretton's best bet for next Tottenham manager

If it were up to me, I would put some strength behind Postecoglou and back him before the January transfer market closes, giving Spurs the best chance to finally win some silverware and end their 27-year dry run.

But as so often the case under the current ownership, change looks to be on the horizon at Tottenham.

As a Spurs fan myself, my heart is calling for the return of Pochettino, despite deep down knowing that I am foolishly still holding on to the good old days all these years later.

Instead, my brain is pointing me in the direction of Bournemouth’s Iraola.

Spurs have a huge week at the start of February when they play two cup games in the space of three days. Should they lose them both, their season is effectively over. At that point, it is worth assessing the best options to replace Postecoglou, rather than the easy ones.

If that means waiting until the summer to secure Iraola – who I think is doing a brilliant job and deserves to take that step up – then so be it.

Best bet – Andoni Iraola to be the next Tottenham manager – 11/2 (general)

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