Tottenham Hotspur have been tipped to appoint a "perfect" replacement for under-fire boss Ange Postecoglou, but it isn't their rumoured top managerial target Andoni Iraola.
Ange Postecoglou relying on Europa League to save Tottenham job
Following a dismal Premier League campaign, with Postecoglou on course to become Spurs' worst-ever head coach in the competition's history, the Australian is seriously under the cosh.
A 3-1 win over relegated Southampton on Sunday provided a rare break from the pressure surrounding Postecoglou's position, with the 59-year-old now fully focused on getting past Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie on Thursday.
It is widely believed that Postecoglou is relying on a good run in the Europa League to keep his job at Tottenham, and this is echoed by reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.
“It’s not over yet, but it’s a dangerous situation, the one of Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham," said Romano on his YouTube channel last week.
"I know Spurs fans are not happy with the current situation. It’s really poor in terms of points. In the Europa League, it’s a different story. Now, there is an important clash with Eintracht [Frankfurt]. So the Europa League is saving the season at the moment for Tottenham and Postecoglou.
“If Tottenham win the Europa League, this could change the whole sense of the project. Next year, they would be in the Champions League finally, so it would be really important. Otherwise, the expectation is that there is a very concrete and strong chance for Tottenham to replace Postecoglou at the end of the season."
The Lilywhites have already been drawing up potential replacements for Postecoglou, including Iraola, who is believed to be their leading candidate for the job (The Athletic).
However, the 42-year-old isn't Spurs' only option, with links also surrounding Fulham boss Marco Silva.
Some reports even suggest that Tottenham have already made an apporach for Silva, following another impressive campaign at Craven Cottage for the Portuguese. European football is very much still alive for the Whites, and they're fresh off the back of a thrilling 3-2 win over Premier League title frontrunners Liverpool.
Tottenham tipped to appoint Marco Silva instead of Andoni Iraola
Now, TalkSPORT pundit Troy Deeney has explained why Silva would be the "perfect" appointment for Tottenham, with the ex-Watford striker tipping him to transform Spurs in just three months.
“The biggest compliment you could take for Marco Silva is that, if you look at all the people that are around him – his staff – they’ve been poached, because they (other clubs) want Marco Silva but they go and get the people off his branches," said Deeney on air (via West London Sport).
“He’s ready for a big team. I think he’d be perfect for Spurs if they would allow him to just go and take over and not get involved too much from up above.
“I think he’d change the culture of that place within three months. Marco is definitely ready. Fulham are on a good trajectory, but I think they’ll struggle to keep him long term.”