Title-winning manager urged not to join Tottenham after private talks with Levy

The pressure continues to mount on Ange Postecoglou as Tottenham’s disappointing season lurches from one crisis to another. The Australian manager finds himself in increasingly precarious territory following Thursday’s defeat to Chelsea, with Fabrizio Romano suggesting his future now hinges entirely on Europa League success.

As speculation swirls about potential replacements, former Liverpool star Stan Collymore has issued a stark warning to one rumored candidate – Mauricio Pochettino – urging the Argentine to steer clear of a Tottenham return.

Postecoglou maintains an outwardly calm demeanor despite the growing storm clouds over his tenure. “I know what my responsibilities are,” he stated when questioned about his future.

“If the club decide to go in a different direction, there are some outstanding candidates out there. It doesn’t rock my world.” This philosophical approach contrasts sharply with Tottenham’s precarious league position and mounting fan frustration.

Tottenham’s Crucial Upcoming Fixtures

The specter of Pochettino looms large over these developments. The former Spurs manager, now preparing to lead the USA at the 2026 World Cup, recently expressed openness to a Tottenham return.

“If he wants to come back one day then I hope it happens for him,” Postecoglou remarked about his potential successor. Pochettino’s emotional connection with the club remains strong after guiding Tottenham to their first Champions League final in 2019, but Collymore believes nostalgia shouldn’t cloud his judgment.

“If I was him, I would not go anywhere near his former club,” Collymore wrote in his CaughtOffside column. “Very little has changed from when he left in 2019. I remember how frustrated he was with the club after that Champions League final. He wouldn’t be given the tools to do the job properly.”

Collymore’s warning carries particular weight given Pochettino’s subsequent achievements. Since his Tottenham departure, the Argentine has won Ligue 1 with PSG and navigated the pressures of Chelsea’s dugout.

His proven track record and existing rapport with Spurs supporters make him an attractive candidate, but Collymore questions whether Daniel Levy’s operating model has evolved enough to satisfy an ambitious manager.

The situation presents a complex dilemma for Tottenham’s hierarchy. Postecoglou’s project, initially promising, has stalled dramatically in his second season.

While his vision for attacking football initially excited fans, results have deteriorated alarmingly – Tottenham currently sit 14th with just 34 points from 30 matches. The Australian insists he was brought in to “change the way the club plays, rejuvenate the squad and bring success,” but patience appears to be wearing thin.

As the club approaches a potential crossroads, several factors complicate any decision:

1. Financial Considerations – Sacking Postecoglou would require significant compensation
2. Squad Transition – The team remains mid-overhaul after Harry Kane’s departure
3. European Prospects – Europa League success could salvage the season
4. Fan Sentiment – Supporters remain divided on Postecoglou’s suitability

Pochettino represents both the safest and riskiest potential appointment. His emotional connection with the fanbase could provide immediate goodwill, but Collymore’s warning about structural limitations raises valid concerns.

The Argentine’s previous frustrations with transfer market support and stadium financing issues may still persist under Levy’s leadership.

For now, Postecoglou’s fate likely rests on two fronts: navigating a tricky run of Premier League fixtures and progressing in Europe. The coming weeks will reveal whether he can turn the tide or if Tottenham will indeed seek “outstanding candidates” to replace him.

As Collymore’s intervention shows, convincing the right candidate to take on this challenge may prove just as difficult as solving the team’s on-field issues.