Is it a director's test performance? Shocking Postecoglou replacement candidate, newcomer to EPL debut for the first time last season?
Jan 28, 2025
|
Tottenham Hotspur, which has been struggling with a series of injuries to players this season, are considering a completely unexpected replacement if they replace coach Enze Postecoglou, according to local reports in the UK.
Rather than winning the big league, he is only playing his second season in the English Premier League (EPL). Andoni Iraola (43), who debuted in the EPL last season at the helm of Bournemouth, is emerging as an alternative.
Tottenham continues to trust Postecoglou so far.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is supporting Postecoglou, judging that the reason for the poor performance is not the manager's fault, but the players' successive injuries. In addition, the penalty of 12 million pounds (about 21.6 billion won) to be paid for the replacement during the season is burdensome.
|
Tottenham has fallen to 15th place (7 wins, 3 draws and 13 losses, 24 points) in the league as of the 23rd round. It is still eight points apart from Wolverhampton (16 points), which is ranked 18th in the relegation zone, but it is not reassuring given the recent downturn. Tottenham have won four consecutive league games.
Therefore, if Tottenham's league performance falls further, President Levi's support for Postecoglou is likely to collapse. Coach Postecoglou's last hope is to win the Carabao Cup. Fortunately, Tottenham beat Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semifinals at home on the 9th, preoccupying the advantage of going to the finals. A draw in the second leg on Feb. 7 will allow them to reach the final.
Until then, Tottenham has to play the Europa League's Elpsborg match (5 a.m. on January 31st) and Brentford match (11 p.m. on the 2nd) in the 24th round of the EPL. It is highly likely that Postecoglou will stay depending on the results of these three games, tied up until the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
As a result, prospects are slowly emerging in the region for 'postecoglou replacement director'. An unexpected character appeared in this atmosphere. It's Bournemouth coach Iraola.
British media TBR Football reported on the 28th (Korea time) 'Tottenham is considering coach Iraola as a replacement for Postecoglou' The media said the league's shocking performance means Tottenham must now consider a replacement for Postecoglou. Iraola explained that he is definitely at the forefront of the alternative candidates.
|
The Spanish coach, Iraola, was completely unknown until last season. Iraola, who mainly spent his active career with Athletic Bilbao in the Primera Liga, made his leadership debut as Cyprus' AEK Larnaca in 2018. He then returned to Spain in August 2020 with Rayo Bayecano at the helm.
Coach Iraola, who led Rayo Bayecano's promotion in the 2020-2021 season, his first year in charge, finished the contract period 12th in the 2021-2022 season and 11th in the 2022-2023 season. Since then, he has made his EPL debut at the helm of Bournemouth in the 2023-2024 season.
Although he was a little sluggish in the early 2023-2024 season, coach Iraola, who led the team to 10th place with his hindsight, continued to do well from the beginning this season and is ranked 7th in the league (40 points, 11 wins, 7 draws, 5 losses) as of the 23rd round. It is only one point away from Manchester City, which is fourth in the league, and is aiming to advance to the Champions League next season.
|
Former Spurs midfielder Jamie O'Hara also admitted that Raola would be an ideal replacement for Postecoglou, but predicted that it would not be easy to take it out of Bournemouth. Bournemouth announced the extension of their contract with Iraola in May last year, which was from 2024 to 2025 season.
The contract is definitely signed until the 2025-2026 season. Tottenham have to pay a penalty to bring in. Above all, it is questionable whether Iraola, who can aim to advance to the Champions League next season, will try to take the helm of Tottenham, which is on the verge of relegation. Tottenham may be dreaming in vain again.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
