Not Frank: Tottenham ‘very close’ to appointing ‘genius’ manager to replace Postecoglou
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly on the brink of confirming Marco Silva as their new head coach, following the shock dismissal of Ange Postecoglou. According to Portuguese outlet Record, the North London club is now “very close” to finalising a deal that would see the Fulham boss make the short journey across the capital to take the reins at Spurs.
The decision to part ways with Postecoglou came on Friday afternoon, just over two weeks after he guided the team to a historic triumph in the UEFA Europa League — their first piece of silverware in 17 years. That victory also secured Champions League football for the 2025/26 season, a feat that many believed would cement his place at the club. However, a disastrous domestic campaign ultimately overshadowed European glory. Spurs finished a dismal 17th in the Premier League, narrowly avoiding relegation and suffering a staggering 22 defeats in 38 matches — the most in a single season in the club’s history.
Initially, Brentford’s Thomas Frank was thought to be the frontrunner for the Spurs hot seat. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano even reported that Tottenham were preparing to enter advanced negotiations with the Danish manager in the coming days. But in a twist that has surprised many, reports from Portugal suggest the club has now pivoted toward a different candidate.
Marco Silva, who had previously been linked to the job, had appeared to commit his future to Fulham after the end of the 2024/25 Premier League season. The Portuguese manager turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia and publicly stated his intention to lead the Cottagers into the 2025/26 campaign. However, Tottenham’s Champions League status — and likely a highly competitive offer — seem to have changed the equation.
If the deal is finalised, it would mark a significant step up for Silva, who has quietly built a reputation as one of the Premier League’s most tactically astute managers. Described by some pundits as a “genius” on the touchline, Silva helped guide Fulham to an impressive, albeit ultimately frustrating, campaign in which they flirted with European qualification before a late-season slump saw them finish 11th.
Silva is no stranger to English football, having previously managed Hull City, Watford, and Everton before finding stability and success at Fulham. His managerial style — marked by disciplined defensive organisation and fluid attacking play — has won him many admirers, and now, it seems, he’s set to take on his biggest challenge yet with a Spurs side desperate to turn the page after a chaotic season.
Postecoglou’s dismissal, despite delivering a European trophy and a return to the Champions League, reflects the board’s dissatisfaction with domestic results. In addition to their poor league form, Spurs were eliminated in the fourth round of the FA Cup by Aston Villa and fell short in the Carabao Cup, exiting at the semi-final stage.
Should Silva accept the offer and take charge, his mission will be a complex one: steady the ship domestically, sustain their presence in Europe’s elite competition, and begin a new era of consistency and competitiveness for a club long starved of success. The coming days could be pivotal, not just for Marco Silva, but for the future direction of Tottenham Hotspur.