Five replacements for under-fire Spurs boss Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho-Tottenham Hotspur

The Portuguese manager’s future is hanging in balance after Tottenham’s elimination from Europa League.

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho is currently on the hot seat after getting eliminated from Europa League by minnows Dinamo Zagreb. Reports have emerged that the Portuguese could lose his job if he fails to land Spurs a place in the top four of the Premier League this season. Spurs brought Mourinho as a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino towards the end of 2019 and he fared decently in the latter half of the 2019/20 season. But the following season looked as if vintage Mourinho was really back after spending at the top of the Premier League table for quite some time. However, it was only flattering to deceive as the North Londoners slumped in no time and they are now facing a gargantuan battle for reaching the top four spot. Now, with Mourinho’s job being at stake, here we take a look at his five possible replacements.

Julian Nagelsmann

Getting Julian Nagelsmann – one of the names Spurs had been linked with in the past – wouldn’t be an easy task as the young RB Leipzig boss has been tracked by Europe’s top clubs and most recently FC Barcelona. However, he has shut down the talks regarding his potential move to the Nou Camp in the summer. On the downside, Nagelsmann’s heads could be turned towards clubs bigger than Spurs.

Brendan Rodgers

The former Celtic boss has really punched above his weight ever since he took over as the first-team coach of Leicester City and the Foxes are currently third in the Premier League table this season. Although Brendan Rodgers looks more of a viable option, it remains to be seen he would leave the Foxes, who are currently peaking and also have higher chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Ralph Hasenhuttl

The oddest name on the list with a profile like no other. Hasenhuttl’s Southampton has derailed since the turn of the year and they are sitting fourteenth in the table. Hasenhuttl would be a risky signing given all the potential hazards.

Max Allegri

Allegri is the type of profile that Spurs should be looking for. A serial title winner at Juventus with tons of experience and has also proven himself in the European competitions. The Italian gaffer has been without a job since he was sacked by the Bianconeri in 2019. His name has often emerged among the Premier League clubs and the former AC Milan gaffer would be ready for his first-ever journey outside Italy.

Rafa Benitez

Like Allegri, Benitez has been without a job since leaving the Chinese Super League. During his last stint in England, he was the manager of Newcastle United and Spurs can’t consider Benitez as an upgrade over Mourinho. First and foremost, the Spaniard is the most pragmatist of all the managers mentioned in this list despite his experience. 

Verdict

Spurs have to go for a manager like Nagelsmann if they are to move in the right direction. Young and tactically versatile, the German is forward-thinking and hence his name is on the radar of Europe’s elite. Even if they fail in his pursuit, they should be able to persuade Allegri, who is a proven manager although he hadn’t worked outside Italy before.