Credit: Manh Tung - Breaking Media

Daniel Davis

Tue 24 March 2026 11:10, UK

Tottenham Hotspur should prioritise appointing Andoni Iraola as their next head coach.

Iraola has performed miracles with Bournemouth since arriving in the Premier League in June 2023, leading the club to a record top-flight points tally last season.

However, his contract is set to run down at the end of the campaign and he has not signed an extension despite holding talks with the Cherries hierarchy, leaving his future uncertain.

That has opened the door for a host of elite clubs to make their moves, and Spurs have been linked with the Spaniard. Now, they would do well to pounce first.

Tottenham are on the hunt for their next manager, and Iraola should be in pole position.

Andoni Iraola is perfect fit for Tottenham

The 43-year-old, of course, is on a shortlist of multiple candidates for the role, and in recent days, he admittedly looks to have disappeared somewhat from the frame.

Instead, Roberto De Zerbi, Mauricio Pochettino and Adi Hutter have been floated, with the latter more likely to take up the reins should Igor Tudor depart in the coming weeks.

But De Zerbi could take Tottenham back to square one and Pochettino isn’t available until at least after the World Cup, which would leave the club’s future direction uncertain for months.

It would, therefore, be sensible for Spurs to stay the course, fight tooth and nail to remain in the Premier League and then turn to Iraola to help them establish a brave new era.

A glance at how Bournemouth stack up against their top-flight peers shows the decision is a no-brainer. They excel in almost every area, while also playing attractive football.

Iraola’s side are sixth for expected goals, behind five of the so-called ‘Big Six’. Ironically, the club expected to occupy Bournemouth’s position in this metric would be Tottenham.

The Cherries are also fourth for shots on target, registering an average of 5.8 per match, and are second in the division for interceptions per game with 9.8, just shy of Chelsea’s 9.9.

A hallmark of Iraola’s style, Bournemouth win back possession in the final third 4.4 times every match, placing them fourth, behind only Arsenal, Brighton and Manchester City.

But they balance ambition with grit, too, with the Cherries making an average of 31.6 clearances per match, leaving them trailing Crystal Palace (33.3) and Sunderland (32.3).

Tottenham supporters fell in love with Ange Postecoglou’s heavy metal, front-foot style, and Iraola promises to follow in those footsteps, albeit with his own unique twist.

Spurs boost in Iraola chase

Promisingly, Spurs look to have been given a boost in their pursuit of Iraola.

Bournemouth figures would have been concerned by the confirmation that Ernesto Valverde would step down from Athletic Club in the summer, with Iraola installed as the favourite.

However, according to reports, former Borussia Dortmund head coach Edin Terzic is now the frontrunner for the role, a shock considering Iraola’s glowing reputation in Bilbao.

The stars are aligning for Tottenham, then, and they would be foolish to miss out.