Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has emerged as the new frontrunner to take charge of Tottenham after the Premier League club failed to pursue top target Arne Slot.
Mail Sport previously reported that Slot was the first Spurs candidate to be identified to replace Antonio Conte this summer, but the Feyenoord boss revealed on Thursday he will be going nowhere less than two weeks after the Netherlands won the title.
After the north London club tried to negotiate a compensation package to ditch him from Feyenoord on Wednesday night, Slot revealed the following morning: “I’ve heard a lot of rumors about other clubs being interested in me.” Although grateful, I would like to stay with Feynoord and continue to work on what we created last year.”
Faced with his retirement, Tottenham need to turn their attention elsewhere while chief executive Daniel Levy continues his search for the next manager The Independent claim they are “strongly considering” a move from Postecoglou.
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has emerged as the new frontrunner to take over at Tottenham
Spurs’ top target Arne Slot officially retired from the race on Thursday morning
That means CEO Daniel Levy (right) must now scramble to find a new leadership goal
Although Slot was Levy’s preferred choice, it is believed Spurs officials were still debating shortlisting their top targets before the Dutchman retired himself.
And one of those names on the list was Postecoglou, 57, who has overseen Celtic for the past two years.
NEXT SPURS MANAGER
Ange Postecoglou – 4/1
Julian Nagelsmann – 5/1
Brendan Rodgers – 6/1
Arne Slot – 6/1
Luis Enrique – 15/2
Reuben Amorim – 11/1
Graham Potter – 11/1
Julen Lopetegui – 14/1
Ruud van Nistelrooy – 14/1
Patrick Vieira – 14/1
Odds provided by Paddy Power and correct at the time of writing
The Greek-born Australian, who represented the latter four times at international level, is widely regarded as one of the most exciting bosses in world football and is known for his expansive style of play.
He has guided Celtic to the Scottish Premiership in each of his two seasons with the club, while also winning as many League Cups.
Postecoglou previously worked in Australia with semi-professional teams South Melbourne and Whittlesea Zebras, as well as professional clubs Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory, and also managed the country’s national team for four years.
During his tenure, Australia qualified for the 2014 World Cup, where they were eliminated in a tough group stage against defending champions Spain, the Netherlands and Chile.
Postecoglou has also made it in his birthplace after spending seven months at Greek club Panachaiki, while his previous job before joining Celtic in China was at Yokohama F. Marinos.
There is hope that a deal with Celtic would be easier for Tottenham to negotiate as relations between the two clubs are smoother than with Feyenoord.
It was also believed that Slot was struggling with Spurs’ current structure as they were also looking for a new director of football following the departure of Fabio Paratici.
The 44-year-old was reportedly concerned about his own role in the situation, which led to him eventually being persuaded to return to Feyenoord for another season.
Postecoglou spent two years at Celtic and won as many Scottish Premiership titles
The 57-year-old’s other big post came when he took charge of his native Australia
Luis Enrique is another manager Levy greatly admires, but given the extensive list of demands he made in negotiations with Chelsea last month, the former Barcelona manager is seen as a difficult option. Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim is also said to be in the game.
Postecoglou is now the bookmakers’ favorite for the Tottenham manager’s position Paddy Power This gives him a 4/1 chance of taking charge by matchday one of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
Former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann is the second favorite at 5/1 – although just two weeks ago Spurs had insisted they had no intention of appointing the German.
Mail Sport reported that Spurs have “huge respect” for the Nagelsmann but currently have no plans to pursue their interest any further, while the 44-year-old himself hasn’t been entirely convinced of the club’s direction this summer either.
Slot remains fourth favorite at 6/1, same prize as ex-Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers.
