There isn’t any denying it: this season isn’t going to plan for Tottenham Hotspur.
The North Londoners have regarded unbelievable in some video games however totally dire in others, and over the past week, they’ve dropped factors in opposition to Fulham, AS Roma, Bournemouth, and most not too long ago, Chelsea.
It is a run of outcomes that has piled the strain on Ange Postecoglou, and whereas loads of followers are determined for him to succeed, there are murmurings that he could not get the prospect.
Actually, even earlier than the devastating loss to Chelsea, reviews had been linking the membership with one other supervisor, somebody who has already received the higher of the Australian this season.
Postecoglou’s Spurs profession
Tottenham made the shock choice to nominate Postecoglou in the summer of 2023, and whereas there have been loads of detractors on the time who claimed his success with Celtic would not translate, it did not take lengthy for him to start out impressing followers and pundits alike.
For instance, they went undefeated of their first ten league video games and had been truly sitting in first place for the October international break.
Nevertheless, of their eleventh league recreation of the season, they misplaced 4-1 at dwelling to Chelsea, in a recreation that noticed James Maddison and Micky Van de Ven come off injured, and Cristian Romero obtain a crimson card.
That end result noticed the North Londoners’ marketing campaign flip fully on its head, and by the point the ultimate whistle was blown in recreation week 38, that they had fallen to fifth place, with a document of 20 wins, six attracts, 12 losses, a aim distinction of simply 13 and 66 factors – 25 off Manchester Metropolis in first.
Sadly, whereas some hoped {that a} contemporary begin this season would see the workforce return to their pre-Chelsea type of final yr, that has not occurred.
Postecoglou’s Spurs document |
|
---|---|
Video games |
63 |
Wins |
32 |
Attracts |
9 |
Losses |
22 |
Factors |
105 |
Factors per Recreation |
1.67 |
Targets For |
124 |
Targets Towards |
95 |
Aim Distinction |
+29 |
As a substitute, Postecoglou’s side now sit in 11th, on 20 factors, with six wins, two attracts and a staggering seven defeats to their identify already.
In different phrases, Tottenham have misplaced 19 of their 53 Premier League video games below the Australian’s stewardship, and whereas there’s undoubtedly an opportunity that his extremely entertaining model of full-throttle soccer may finally flip issues round, it is no shock that they have already got a shortlist of potential replacements ought to they pull the plug.
Postecoglou’s potential substitute
So, in accordance with a report from Football Transfers, Spurs have shortlisted Ipswich City supervisor Kieran McKenna as their first selection to switch Postecoglou ought to they select to sack the Australian.
The Northern Irishman has a robust connection to the membership, as he hung out within the academy earlier than damage compelled him into retirement, then returning a couple of years later as a scout after which the U18 supervisor after that.
His success in North London noticed him snapped up by Manchester United, the place he spent extra time as a scout and U18 supervisor earlier than then incomes a spot as an assistant supervisor for Ole Gunnar Solskjær, José Mourinho, Ralf Rangnick and Michael Carrick.
Nevertheless, after years of studying from a few of the finest within the enterprise, the 38-year-old accepted his first senior supervisor job, becoming a member of League One Ipswich in December 2021.
Over the subsequent few years, the “sensational” tactician, as John Barnes dubbed him, led the Tractor Boys on a surprising journey from the third tier proper as much as the Premier League in back-to-back promotions, and whereas they at present discover themselves within the relegation zone, they’ve proven sufficient to point they may nicely keep up.
For instance, they picked up factors in opposition to Aston Villa, Manchester United, and Brighton & Hove Albion and even beat the Lilywhites 2-1 away from dwelling simply earlier than the final worldwide break.
Now, one additional advantage to appointing McKenna is that his preferred formation of 4-2-3-1 may assist the membership to tighten up on the again, as a double pivot would each present the again 4 with that bit extra cowl, in addition to the 2 within the pivot.
McKenna’s Ipswich document |
|
---|---|
Video games |
147 |
Wins |
77 |
Attracts |
41 |
Losses |
29 |
Factors |
272 |
Factors per Recreation |
1.85 |
Targets For |
275 |
Targets Towards |
155 |
Aim Distinction |
+120 |
Furthermore, it may see Maddison unleashed in a extra conventional quantity ten place, which might enable him to do what he does finest and create unbelievable possibilities for his teammates.
In the end, there’s a sense that as issues stand, followers would nonetheless moderately stick by Postecoglou and see if he can flip issues round, but when the board has different concepts, McKenna could possibly be the perfect substitute.
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