There is no denying it: this season has been a disaster for Tottenham Hotspur.
Ange Postecoglou can end it spectacularly by winning the Europa League, but when it comes to the Premier League, things could not have gone much worse.
In fact, had it not been for some genuinely terrible form from the newly promoted sides, there might have been a real discussion around possible relegation at points, as so far, the North Londoners have lost a staggering 19 games in the league.
It's been so poor that it seems as if Postecoglou will be on the way out regardless of what happens in Europe next, which has, in turn, seen a plethora of names linked with the job, including old boss Mauricio Pochettino and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola.
However, another name has also been linked with the job, someone who could make the board forget about the rest.
Why Spurs would want Poch or Iraola
So, before getting to the manager in question, it's worth looking at why the North Londoners might want to hire Pochettino or Iraola.
When it comes to the former, there are several reasons at play, but they all come back to one thing: familiarity.
Since leaving the club, it would be fair to say that the Argentine has not enhanced his reputation.
First came an unspectacular stint at Paris Saint-Germain, then a dire season with Chelsea and, as things stand, a disappointing spell in charge of the USMNT.
However, during his time in N17, he helped build a squad almost from the ground up, turned them into serious Premier League and Champions League contenders, and, just as importantly, formed a genuine connection with the fans.
Daniel Levy and Co would want to bring him back because they know that Pochettino can deliver at the club because he has done it before.
Iraola, on the other hand, does not have that familiarity with the club or fans, but he has the wind in his sails and is arguably one of the most exciting up-and-coming managers in the league.
For example, he took charge of a Cherries side that looked destined for relegation last year and has turned them into European hopefuls this season, all while losing their talismanic striker to the Lilywhites in the summer.
Moreover, he helped to transform Rayo Vallecano in Spain before coming to England, so he has proven himself in more than one dugout.
With all that said, another manager hasn't been talked about as much, but could be just the man Tottenham needs.
The Manager to make Spurs forget Poch & Iraola
According to reports from Germany earlier this month, as relayed by GIVEMESPORT, Tottenham have inquired about Borussia Dortmund's Niko Kovač.
The Croatian coach may not be all that familiar to fans of English football, but for fans of the Bundesliga, he's a well-known and well-respected quantity.
For example, over the last seven years, he has managed Eintracht Frankfurt, VfL Wolfsburg, Bayern Munich and most currently Dortmund - while spending a year and a half with AS Monaco.
Described as "one of the best coaches in Europe" by football writer Sebastien C, the 53-year-old is generally regarded as a coach who likes his teams to play vertically, getting the ball forward quickly when possible, but also something of a pragmatist who likes his sides to be defensively sound.
This could see him win over the Tottenham faithful early on, as he wouldn't be as gung-ho as Postecoglou, but he wouldn't want to shut up shop as much as Antonio Conte, for example.
Moreover, he's shown a willingness to switch up his formation to suit his players in the past and is currently employing a 4-2-3-1 at Signal Iduna Park.
This is a set-up that could work wonders in North London as well, with extra cover in front of the club's frequently shaky backline.
Finally, he'd join the club as a proven winner, having picked up the German Cup with Frankfurt and then winning the Cup and League double with Bayern a year later, in 2019.
Ultimately, Kovac might not be the first name that comes to fans' minds when thinking of Spurs' next manager, but thanks to his moderate pragmatism and historical successes in the dugout, he should be.