Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Wed 11 March 2026 16:00, UK

Tottenham Hotspur‘s hopes of appointing Andoni Iraola look to have taken a blow.

Spurs are on the hunt for a permanent manager after dismissing Thomas Frank and hiring Igor Tudor as an emergency stopgap until the end of the season.

While supporters have clamoured for Mauricio Pochettino to get the job, Iraola has performed miracles at Bournemouth and could be available this summer.

But his outstanding work on the south coast has led to interest from multiple other clubs, including Premier League rivals, which could force Spurs to move on to other targets.

Andoni Iraola on Tottenham managerial shortlist

Tudor has endured a nightmare start to life in North London, losing all four of his games in charge, including the 5-2 thumping at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The manner of that defeat could force Spurs to roll the dice and replace him as they look to avoid relegation, but their longer-term search for a new coach is continuing regardless.

Iraola is on their shortlist of candidates, but luring him to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium looks unlikely if recent reports are anything to go by.

According to The i Paper, Bournemouth will reopen contract talks with the Spaniard in an attempt to ward off interest from Spurs, Manchester United and Crystal Palace.

Unless he pens a new deal, Iraola will be available for work at the end of the season, and he is believed to have featured prominently in discussions over the hot seat in N17.

In a shock twist, Sean Dyche is the new favourite for the Tottenham job, so it could be his task to hand over the keys to Iraola after this bruising campaign concludes.

Who are the current favourites for the Tottenham job?

Showcasing the alarming slump at Spurs, Dyche’s odds have now tumbled to 2/1, giving him the advantage over Pochettino, who isn’t available until the summer.

Roberto De Zerbi, Robbie Keane and former caretaker boss Ryan Mason make up the rest of the top five, while some have tipped Harry Redknapp to pull off a rescue bid.

But no matter who Tottenham choose, they need to act quickly. Tudor simply cannot spend another day in the dugout, having presided over an omnishambles since taking charge.

Performances have been dire, and his man-management has been worse, as demonstrated by his handling of Antonin Kinsky’s career-threatening mistakes in Madrid.

Survival is now the primary objective, and Tudor can no longer guarantee even that.