Tottenham Hotspur are expected to have a new manager this summer, and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on one of their targets.
Spurs have been under Ange Postecoglou for nearly two years now. The Australian appeared to be the right man early last season, but things just haven’t gone to plan over the last 18 months.
Tottenham are currently 16th in the Premier League table, and if they stay there until the end of the season, it will be Spurs’ lowest finish since the 1976/77 campaign – when they finished 22nd and were relegated.
Postecoglou is expected to be sacked by Tottenham even if he wins the Europa League, and Spurs already have a few names on their shortlist to replace him.
One of them is Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth.
Mikel Arteta delivers verdict on Tottenham manager target Andoni Iraola
Tottenham are looking at several managers to replace Postecoglou this summer.
The decision makers at Spurs are considering big names like Jurgen Klopp, while former midfielder Scott Parker is also admired by Tottenham.
But, the main names in contention to replace Postecoglou are all managing in the Premier League right now.
TBR Football exclusively revealed back in January that Tottenham are keeping an eye on Iraola as well as Brentford boss Thomas Frank as potential options to become their new boss.
Mikel Arteta, who is one of the best managers in the Premier League right now, knows Iraola very well having played with him in the past.
He has now praised his compatriot for the talented player he once was, as well as for the ‘extraordinary job’ he has done at Bournemouth.
Arteta said in his press conference, as relayed on HaytersTV: “He was super talented, very skilful. He used to play as a winger, a winger coming inside. Really a smart player.
“Probably none of us thought we were going to be in the position we are in today in the Premier League. But really happy for him, I think he’s doing an extraordinary job.
“I think he has changed a lot of things at the club as well, the atmosphere, the belief, the players that he’s recruited, the way they play, really impressive.”
Tottenham suffer Andoni Iraola blow
Iraola would be a fantastic fit at Tottenham.
The Spaniard is one of the best up-and-coming managers in the world right now, and he could have the kind of impact at Spurs that Mauricio Pochettino did all those years ago.
Iraola is Tottenham’s top target to replace Postecoglou this summer, but the North Londoners are set for disappointment, if Duncan Castles is to be believed.
The journalist claimed recently that the 42-year-old has rejected approaches from Tottenham to speak to them about becoming the club’s next manager.
Iraola is in talks with Bournemouth to extend his contract there instead.
