Ange Postecoglou will be hoping that Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 defeat to Leicester City at home is not the straw that broke the camel’s back when it comes to his future at Spurs.
For some Tottenham supporters, it might well be as Leicester made their trip to N17 off the back of losing seven Premier League games in a row and still managed to take home the all-important three points.
One of them is Jamie O’Hara, who feels Tottenham should sack Ange Postecoglou as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side came back from a goal down to stage a shock victory — thanks to quick-fire strikes from Jamie Vardy and Bilal El Khannouss.
However, TBR Football were recently informed that Daniel Levy does not intend to sack Postecoglou.
Spurs have now lost 13 games in the league and languish in 15th place — as they have lost eight winning and drawing one game apiece in their last 10 outings.
While the prospect of Tottenham being dragged down to a relegation battle seem unlikely as they are still eight points above the drop zone, their recent form is reflective of team that could go down.
Jamie O’Hara says Andoni Iraola should replace Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham
The challenge for Daniel Levy is that even if Ange Postecoglou fails to turn things around and is deserving of the sack, spotting a manager who could take on the sizable task of replacing him mid-season would be a tough one.
Furthermore, managers who are performing would potentially have no reason to leave a stable environment to take on what looks it a poisoned chalice, that is the Lilywhites’ managerial job.
However, Jamie O’Hara would like Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola to replace Ange Postecoglou.
O’Hara told Sky Sports News: “Look, the more I look at the Bournemouth manager, the more I think, I wouldn’t mind him at Spurs.”
“He did need time but Ange [Postecoglou] has had time and he’ll need time at Tottenham and he’ll need his own players in. They’re organised. Nottingham Forest are organised. They weren’t yesterday but Bournemouth are organised. Fulham, Marco Silva, organised.”
Jamie O’Hara is willing to give Postecoglou time until the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final to save his job and in the event that Tottenham lose, the former Spurs star would like him to depart.
O’Hara went on to add that Bournemouth, much like Tottenham have had several injuries this season and yet, Andoni Iraola is thriving, having resoundingly beaten Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest in successive outings.
“Tottenham are so disorganised. Whether you’ve got injuries or not, Bournemouth have got loads of injuries and they’re doing the business.”
“Beat Newcastle 4-1 and then trounced Nottingham Forest 5-0 yesterday. [Dango] Outtara played up front, [Lewis] Cook played right-back, don’t tell me they haven’t got issues, eight or nine injuries out, Evanilson, their star player’s out.”
Sources told TBR Football that Bournemouth are offering Iraola a new contract and would like to tie him down on a long-term basis this year.
Tottenham impressed by Andoni Iraola
However, Tottenham are impressed by Andoni Iraola and Thomas Frank for the tremendous jobs they have done at Bournemouth and Brentford respectively.
The Cherries are sitting in seventh place in the league this season, despite losing their talisman in Dominic Solanke to Spurs in the summer.
Furthermore, as Jamie O’Hara pointed out, injuries have plagued Bournemouth’s squad as well.
Yet, Andoni Iraola’s side are flying.
In November 2023, Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Iraola as well.
Guardiola said via BBC Sport: “They competed really well against Liverpool. Andoni is an incredible, well-respected manager in Spain and did an incredible job in Rayo Vallecano.”
Pep Guardiola hailed Andoni Iraola’s style of play as well, saying: “[Bournemouth are] playing offensive and attractive football. What I see is an alive team. It’s a team with good sprit, not set back, and of course the result gives confidence and when you don’t have it, you can’t produce that.”
“In Spain he is one of the youngest managers that has a better future – and training in the Premier League is an incredible success for him.”