‘I heard from a really good source..’ – Pundit says Tottenham have had talks to hire ‘best manager in world’
The corridors of power at Tottenham Hotspur appear to be buzzing with contingency plans as the club’s disastrous Premier League campaign threatens to overshadow their unlikely Europa League final appearance.
According to bombshell revelations from broadcaster Richard Keys, Spurs have already initiated contact with former Barcelona maestro Xavi Hernández about potentially taking the managerial reins next season – a move that would signal dramatic change at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium regardless of how their European adventure concludes.
While Ange Postecoglou prepares his squad for their May 21st showdown against Manchester United in Bilbao, the Australian’s long-term future grows increasingly uncertain.
Tottenham’s catastrophic domestic form – languishing in 17th position with 20 league defeats – has created an untenable situation for a club with Champions League aspirations.
The disconnect between their continental success and Premier League struggles has left chairman Daniel Levy facing one of the most consequential decisions of his tenure.
Xavi’s potential availability adds fascinating complexity to Tottenham’s predicament. The legendary Spanish midfielder boasts an impressive 62.68% win rate from his 142 matches managing Barcelona, including delivering the 2022/23 La Liga title during his first full season in charge.
His tactical philosophy – rooted in possession-based attacking football with intense pressing – would represent both continuity and upgrade from Postecoglou’s approach.
However, Keys’ sources suggest the 44-year-old may not be ready to return to management after his emotionally draining Camp Nou exit, leaving Tottenham’s leadership with difficult calculations to make.
Xavi’s Barcelona Managerial Record at a Glance
| Metric | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Games Managed | 142 | – |
| Wins | 89 | 62.68% |
| Draws | 24 | 16.90% |
| Losses | 29 | 20.42% |
The contrast between Xavi’s Barcelona environment and Tottenham’s current reality could scarcely be more pronounced. Where the Catalan demanded excellence competing for La Liga and Champions League honors, Spurs face the humiliating prospect of finishing below Bournemouth and Brentford.
This stark disparity raises legitimate questions about whether the project would appeal to a coach of Xavi’s pedigree, despite Tottenham’s superior resources compared to most La Liga outfits.
GMS sources indicate Postecoglou’s position has become precarious regardless of Europa League outcomes – a ruthless but perhaps necessary stance given the alarming Premier League regression.
While lifting the trophy would secure Champions League qualification and end Tottenham’s 16-year silverware drought, the scale of domestic underperformance may prove unforgivable.
The brutal truth remains that no manager in Tottenham’s modern history has survived such dismal league results, irrespective of cup successes.
Xavi’s potential appointment would represent both coup and gamble for Levy. His Barcelona tenure demonstrated an ability to develop young talent while implementing an identifiable style – qualities that align with Tottenham’s purported vision.
However, his lack of Premier League experience and the unique pressures of English football present unknown variables. The Spaniard’s public struggles with Barcelona’s political machinations also raise questions about how he would handle Tottenham’s equally intense media scrutiny and demanding fanbase.
For Postecoglou, the emerging speculation creates an impossible backdrop to what should be his finest hour in North London. The Australian finds himself in the perverse position of potentially winning the club’s first major trophy since 2008 while simultaneously fighting for his job.
His passionate touchline demeanor and attacking principles have earned him goodwill among supporters, but the alarming defensive fragility and tactical inflexibility displayed throughout the league campaign may have eroded boardroom confidence beyond repair.
The coming weeks will prove defining for Tottenham’s short-term trajectory. Win in Bilbao, and they secure Europa League glory with Champions League football returning to N17.
Lose, and the inquest into their worst Premier League season in decades begins in earnest. Xavi’s shadow looms large over both scenarios – an elite managerial option suddenly available when Tottenham most need direction.
Whether the stars align for this unlikely union depends on multiple factors: the Spaniard’s willingness to take on a rebuild project, Postecoglou’s fate being decided by one match rather than 38, and Levy’s capacity to sell Tottenham’s vision to a coach accustomed to competing for top honors.
One certainty emerges from the uncertainty – Tottenham stand at a crossroads, and their next managerial appointment could determine whether they regain their place among England’s elite or face further years in the wilderness.
Xavi represents the glamorous high-risk, high-reward option; Postecoglou’s potential survival would require unprecedented patience for a club not renowned for it. As the Europa League final approaches, more than silverware hangs in the balance – the very identity of Tottenham Hotspur is being contested behind closed doors.