Tottenham dealt blow in Ange Postecoglou replacement hunt | OneFootball

Andoni Iraola has been tipped to sign a new Bournemouth contract, thereby ruling him out of contention to take over Tottenham Hotspur if Ange Postecoglou is relieved of his duties.

The Cherries boss has attracted admiring glances from across the division after instilling an impressive style of football on the south coast. Bournemouth achieved their highest-ever Premier League points total during Iraola's debut campaign - a tally they have already matched with six games of the current season remaining.

Postecoglou is breaking all the wrong records for Spurs this term. The Australian head coach has suffered through 17 defeats in 32 top-flight matches this term to leave his side mired in 15th. Tottenham last finished lower when they dropped out of the division altogether in 1977.

Multiple reports have claimed that Postecoglou's future hinges on progression in the Europa League - though whether the increasingly frustrated figure lasts beyond the summer even in the wake of continental triumph remains to be seen.

Iraola was billed as the leading candidate to replace Postecoglou. The Spanish boss played down these links and is expected to stay at the Vitality Stadium, according to The Telegraph.

The report also claims that Iraola is considering signing a new contract with the Cherries. The former Rayo Vallecano boss has an existing deal which stretches until the summer of 2026.

While Iraola's reported commitment is a blow for Spurs, he is not the only contender. As Postecoglou himself admitted in a startlingly candid press conference, there are "some outstanding candidates" to take over in north London.

Fulham boss Marco Silva is thought to be widely admired by his capital rivals while Brentford's Thomas Frank has also been touted as potential option.

Bournemouth are in the midst of an understated form crisis which could ultimately see them slip below Fulham and Brentford by the campaign's conclusion. However, all three clubs are expected to finish well above a Spurs side that may very well have to widen their search.