Tottenham ‘want’ to re-hire former Spurs manager to replace Ange Postecoglou amid two ‘key factors’
Tottenham ‘want’ to re-hire former Spurs manager to replace Ange Postecoglou amid two ‘key factors’
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly considering a stunning reunion with one of their former managers, as Ange Postecoglou prepares to leave the club at the end of the season.
It has been a disastrous 2024/25 campaign for Spurs, who have spent the majority of the year languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table. After a promising debut season under Postecoglou — during which they narrowly missed out on a Champions League place — the club’s form has nosedived dramatically. Despite the optimism that surrounded Postecoglou’s early months in charge, results this season have been hugely disappointing, with Tottenham falling short in the Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.
Injuries have certainly played a role, with Spurs suffering more than their fair share of fitness setbacks. Nevertheless, their performances across all domestic competitions have been well below the standard expected at a club of Tottenham’s stature.
One small glimmer of hope remains in Europe: Postecoglou has guided Spurs to the semi-finals of the Europa League, where they are set to face Norwegian side Bodo-Glimt in the first leg next Thursday. There have been suggestions that a Europa League triumph could potentially save the Australian’s job, offering him a lifeline by ending Tottenham’s long trophy drought. However, more recent reports indicate that the club’s hierarchy have already decided to move in a different direction, regardless of the outcome in Europe.
Tottenham have been linked with a number of potential managerial candidates, but an intriguing new claim from Spanish outlet Fichajes suggests that the club are seriously considering bringing back José Mourinho.
This rumour, however, is met with widespread skepticism. Mourinho’s departure from Spurs in April 2021 was far from amicable — he was sacked just days before the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, a move that left many questioning the club’s decision-making. Given how things ended, a reunion with the Portuguese coach seems, frankly, unlikely.
Since leaving Tottenham, Mourinho has taken charge of AS Roma, where he won the UEFA Europa Conference League, before moving on to Fenerbahce in Turkey. His time in Istanbul has been mixed, and amid growing speculation, he has been linked with a potential return to the Premier League.
According to Fichajes, Tottenham are weighing up Mourinho’s candidacy based on two major factors: his extensive experience at the highest levels of European football and his ability to manage in high-pressure environments. The report also mentions that Chelsea legend and current Coventry City boss Frank Lampard is being considered as another option.
The Spanish outlet writes:
“His [Mourinho’s] experience and ability to handle pressure situations would be key factors in this new environment, where a strong-willed figure with a proven track record in Europe is sought. Although no final decision has been made, the idea of bringing back the Portuguese coach is beginning to gather momentum. Frank Lampard is also under consideration.”
Adding fuel to the speculation, former Chelsea star Joe Cole has thrown his support behind Mourinho’s potential return to England, suggesting that the veteran manager could inspire a “real bounce” at his next club. Cole believes Mourinho’s winning mentality and ability to galvanize struggling squads could make him an attractive short-term solution for a club in need of direction.
While a Mourinho comeback might seem improbable given the circumstances of his previous exit, it speaks volumes about the current state of uncertainty at Tottenham. Whether Spurs ultimately pursue Mourinho, Lampard, or another candidate altogether, one thing appears clear: a major managerial change is on the horizon in North London.