Four managers Tottenham could replace Mauricio Pochettino with if Daniel Levy wields axe

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino appears to be on the brink after losing 3-0 at Brighton - but which four managers could replace him?

Posted Sunday, October 06, 2019 by Express.co.uk

Mauricio Pochettino is now the bookies’ favourite to be the next Premier League manager to get the sack.

After five seasons of overachievement with Tottenham, the walls are starting to close in on the affable Argentine coach after a 7-2 loss against Bayern Munich in midweek was followed by a 3-0 defeat at Brighton.

This season, he has criticised members of his squad for being distracted due to contract stand-offs and has long voiced gripes about the club’s transfer activity.

With Pochettino more disillusioned than ever with Tottenham, Express Sport assesses which four coaches could take over the role in north London.

Jose Mourinho

He’s unavoidable, isn’t he? In the space of 10 months Mourinho seems to have revived the allure he lost in his ill-fated third season at Manchester United simply through entertaining punditry.

The Portuguese wants his next job to be in one of the top five European leagues with an ambitious club and is keen to work within a streamlined hierarchy.

Like it or not, Tottenham has that from Daniel Levy to the head coach and Mourinho would be inheriting a squad which has come to the end of its sell-by date and is in need of remoulding.

It fits the bill as to what Mourinho wants… whether Mourinho is what Spurs want is a different matter. The Chelsea legend no longer seems in tune with modern players and, given the amenable Pochettino is currently struggling in that aspect, Mourinho may not have the qualities to turn Spurs around.

Four managers Tottenham could replace Mauricio Pochettino with if Daniel Levy wields axe
The four managers who could replace Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham if Daniel Levy wields axe (Image: Getty)

Four managers Tottenham could replace Mauricio Pochettino with if Daniel Levy wields axe
The four managers who could replace Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham - Jose Mourinho (Image: Getty)

Eddie Howe

Pochettino was appointed by Tottenham after succeeding on the south coast with a vibrant, exciting mid-table side. Tottenham may replicate that recruitment tactic by acquiring Howe.

The softly-spoken Bournemouth coach has turned a small Football League club into Premier League regulars and has the likeability factor and style of football to help Spurs transition smoothly in the wake of Pochettino.

Although Howe’s bond with the Cherries seems unbreakable, it is only a matter of time until he is offered a step up in the game. It proved with Pochettino that managers can excel at the top level once given the opportunity and Howe deserves to discover how he would fare.

The one culture shock for Howe may be the switch from manager to head coach, given his homely relationship with white-collars at the Vitality Stadium. Equally, if Tottenham want to kick on after Pochettino, they may opt for a more experienced coach.

Four managers Tottenham could replace Mauricio Pochettino with if Daniel Levy wields axe
The four managers who could replace Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham - Eddie Howe (Image: Getty)

Massimiliano Allegri

Allegri is probably the most established ‘free agent’ coach on the market behind Mourinho since leaving Juventus at the end of last season, and was in the stadium as Bayern whooped Spurs on Tuesday night.

The 52-year-old won five straight Serie A titles with Juventus and four Coppa Italias, also leading them to two Champions League finals. He left Turin with his reputation well intact and has already turned down job offers.

Allegri can only speak minimal English at the moment but reports claim he is taking English classes to prepare himself for a Premier League post.

He is known as an astute coach who sets the foundation for his teams with a strong defence; there are not many reasons why Tottenham would be put off by the Italian.

Four managers Tottenham could replace Mauricio Pochettino with if Daniel Levy wields axe
The four managers who could replace Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham - Massimiliano Allegri (Image: Getty)

Four managers Tottenham could replace Mauricio Pochettino with if Daniel Levy wields axe
The four managers who could replace Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham - Brendan Rodgers (Image: Getty)

Brendan Rodgers

Rodgers’ stock is approaching the heights it was at during his Liverpool pomp after success with Celtic and impressive returns at Leicester.

The Northern Irishman is revered for his man-management and tactical nous, as well as a keenness to develop young players. He is probably the closest version to Pochettino in the Premier League.

The main issue lies in whether Rodgers wants to drop what he’s building at Leicester. If Spurs’ contract rebels leave, the Foxes will arguably have a better squad and Leicester are moving to a new £180million training complex next season.

There is a real feeling Leicester are on the brink of breaking the Big Six establishment and Rodgers would not be blamed for pursuing his ambition in east Midlands.