Tottenham suffer blow as one of three shortlisted managers may be about to rule himself out
Tottenham Hotspur’s search for a permanent manager has taken another turn, with one leading candidate now expected to turn down both Spurs and Manchester United.
Tottenham Hotspur know they will have to revisit their managerial appointment later this year following Igor Tudor’s interim spell, which is set to end at the conclusion of the season.
There have already been reports linking Spurs with several permanent options. Mauricio Pochettino is a fan favourite and one of Tottenham’s ideal picks this summer, with rumours having it that Tottenham are working around the clock to agree on a deal with the Argentine.
Meanwhile, Roberto De Zerbi is another manager Spurs are understood to be keen on appointing should Tudor depart.
Tottenham target Andoni Iraola set to reject Spurs and Manchester United
Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth has also been a long-term target for Tottenham, dating back to before Thomas Frank’s appointment.
However, with the Dane sacked, Iraola has once again been linked with the Spurs job in recent weeks, although it has been claimed that he is not keen on a move to north London.
It was claimed this week that Tottenham had added Iraola to their shortlist of three manager targets, alongside Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi.
A fresh report from TEAMtalk now states that Bournemouth are growing in confidence that they can persuade Iraola to commit his future to the club by signing a new contract.
The Spaniard’s current deal expires this summer, and it was previously reported that he was not keen on an extension, with a move to La Liga side Athletic Bilbao his preferred option.
But it is now claimed that Cherries owner Bill Foley is working tirelessly to convince Iraola that his ambitions can be fulfilled at Bournemouth, with the south coast club pointing to the work of sporting director Tiago Pinto, who is actively reinvesting in the squad.
A well-placed source has told TEAMtalk that there is belief within the club that Iraola is aligned with the project and encouraged by the backing he is receiving.
The source said: “There’s a real belief that Iraola is buying into the project. The club is showing him that, despite the departures, the ambition is to build something lasting and competitive.
“The signings and the backing from the board are all part of the plan to keep him at the helm.”
Spurs face setback as Bournemouth back Iraola project
Bournemouth have lost several key players in recent transfer windows, with Antoine Semenyo, Illia Zabarnyi and Dean Huijsen departing in the last 12 months.
However, they have been proactive in the market, securing replacements who have already made an impact.
Brazilian starlet Rayan Viktor, who Tottenham were linked with, signed in January and already has three goal contributions in four games, underlining the direction Bournemouth are heading.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have not shown similar ambition, failing to strengthen the squad this winter despite being in a relegation battle.
It was previously claimed that Iraola is not keen on the Spurs job following Thomas Frank’s struggles after making the move from Brentford to north London.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether Iraola signs a new deal at Bournemouth or departs, with Manchester United and Manchester City also keen.
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