Tottenham's first choice Postecoglou replacement now eyeing a move to Saudi

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy is facing stiff competition from Saudi Arabia in pursuit of his reported top target to replace Ange Postecoglou, with the tactician said to be keen on a move to the Middle East.

Tottenham are very likely to replace Ange Postecoglou this summer

All signs are currently pointing towards Spurs’ final fixtures of 2024/2025 being Postecoglou’s last in charge.

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The reliable David Ornstein is now among the media sources to report that Postecoglou is highly likely to depart Tottenham, regardless of their success in the Europa League final, following links to numerous managerial candidates to succeed the Australian.

Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth), Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace), Thomas Frank (Brentford), Scott Parker (Burnley), Jürgen Klopp (Head of Global, Red Bull), Niko Kovač (Borussia Dortmund) and Edin Terzić (free agent) are all reportedly managers attracting interest from Tottenham ahead of next season, following their tepid Premier League campaign.

Spurs broke their record for most Premier League losses in a single season after their 2-0 defeat at home to Crystal Palace last weekend, with the Lilywhites also sitting a lowly 17th in the table, just one spot above the already-filled relegation zone.

Postecoglou has been criticised for stubbornness over changing his approach in games this season, with former Man United keeper Peter Schmeichel slamming this aspect of his coaching style after a 6-3 defeat to Liverpool.

“It’s on [Postecoglou],” Schmeichel told Premier League Productions.

“He’s playing to his principles. Today it was crazy, the high line, the space they left behind, they’re not playing with a ‘keeper who’s comfortable cleaning up behind. You can’t play a system the players can’t play because of principle. For that they’ve conceded three on Thursday and six today.

“When you look at the table, they’re not on the front page, they’re on the second page. Tottenham are not supposed to be on the second page, it’s because of the way they play.

“The stubbornness of wanting to play that way, they got what they deserved, and it could have been a lot worse.”

Tottenham managerial target Marco Silva eyeing move to Saudi Arabia

Understandably, a large section of supporters wish to see change, even if their season could still be saved by a potential first trophy in 17 years and a place in the Champions League draw next term, through victory in the Europa League final on May 21.

According to Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio recently, Fulham boss Marco Silva is Tottenham’s “first” choice to replace Postecoglou, with the Portuguese now in pole position on Levy’s managerial shortlist.

However, another update, courtesy of Pete O’Rourke for Football Insider, claims Spurs won’t exactly have a free run at hiring the 47-year-old.

As per O’Rourke, Silva is now keen on a move to Saudi Arabia amid Tottenham’s serious interest, and Saudi sides are “ready to move” for the tactician. Al-Hilal are named as one of the SPL teams expressing a real fondness, and they could feasibly offer him mega-money to vacate Europe.

It is unclear whether Levy would be willing to do the same thing, but he’ll certainly be keen to avoid a lengthy managerial saga akin to their drawn-out search for José Mourinho’s successor in 2021.