The pressure is most certainly on Jose Mourinho to deliver a trophy and Champions League qualification for next season, although it remains to be seen whether he could still find himself in the job if he delivers one or the other.
If neither top four or the Carabao Cup Final is won by Spurs, this season will prove an incredibly disappointing one, and one of the worst seasons in the last ten years.
RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann is the front-runner for the job for the fans if the Portuguese coach is sacked, but unfortunately, he has been ruled out as a potential successor to Mourinho by the Athletic.
Should Mourinho leave, the German won’t succeed him, so who are the current front-runners for the job among fans and bookmakers?
Potential successors to Mourinho
Ralph Hasenhuttl – Southampton
Ralph Hasenhuttl has vowed to do all he can to keep Jannik Vestergaard at #SaintsFC this summer amid rumoured interest from Tottenham Hotspur.#THFC are said to be readying a swoop for his services, forcing the Southampton boss to respond to speculation.https://t.co/eDsbQb4yw5
— Tom Leach (@TomLeachCCFC) April 9, 2021
Southampton manager Hasenhuttl has installed a high-pressing game at the club, and has previous experience managing RB Leipzig as he took them into the Bundesliga and into Champions League football. Sky Bet make him the third favourite to take over at Spurs if Mourinho leaves, but the two men above him are Rafa Benitez and Nagelsmann, and neither seem likely at all to join the club.
Erik ten Hag – Ajax
there’s only one choice left then
— 🦆👍 (@thfcjac0b) April 13, 2021
After we beat Ajax in the Champions League Semi-Final a couple years ago in such a dramatic way, it’s likely that ten Hag still has bad feeling towards Spurs. But, plenty of our fans think he is an exceptional coach and want him to be the next manager, believing not only can he direct us towards trophies, but also persuade the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Devyne Rensch and Andre Onana to follow him to Spurs. Not a likely appointment, but he would be fantastic at Spurs.
Steven Gerrard – Rangers
Tottenham have put Steven Gerrard on their list of potential replacements for José Mourinho, however, Daniel Levy is concerned over his lack of experience. (Source: Daily Express) pic.twitter.com/0tw3LwCmcX
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 22, 2021
Another unrealistic appointment, but Sky Bet seem to believe that he has an outside chance of being appointed as manager at Spurs. It’s difficult to seem him managing at another Premier League club that isn’t Liverpool, but given his successes at Rangers where he has ended Celtic’s period of absolute dominance, he could potentially be a success with his positive, pressing style of play – but there are definitely better managers out there.
Graham Potter – Brighton
If not nagelsman, i think we should go for potter
— Joakim Granberg (@LillaJocke) April 13, 2021
Brighton manager Potter is an interesting option, as Brighton, despite having a significantly weaker squad then most teams in the Premier League, play some of the best football in the entire division. Their high intensity pressing system where the full-backs are utilised as often as possible is very similar to the Pochettino tactics when Kyle Walker and Danny Rose were in their prime. But with a lack of trophies under his name, it would be a risk.
Brendan Rodgers – Leicester
British option : Brendan Rodgers Continental option : Nagelsmann Tottenham ‘club’ option : Ryan mason
— Charlie Lloyd Thomas (@CharlieLloydT) April 12, 2021
This appointment is probably the most unlikely, as Rodgers arguably has a project at Leicester which right now looks better and more appealing than what Spurs have going this season. They are massively over-achieving, but now with more Champions League quality players in their squad they do look worth of finishing in the top four, and the work he has done at the club is nothing short of phenomenal. If we can persuade him to come to Spurs, that would be perfect and ideal, but despite many bookmakers saying he is among the front-runners for the job, we don’t think there is much chance.