After the worst managerial stint in Spurs’ Premier League history, Daniel Levy and INEOS-backed chiefs are targeting Andoni Iraola to save Tottenham from a shock relegation battle.
Tottenham Hotspur have officially pulled the plug on the disastrous eight-month reign of Thomas Frank. Following a humiliating 2-1 home capitulation against Newcastle on Tuesday, the Dane was dismissed with the worst win percentage of any Spurs manager in the Premier League era.
With the club languishing just five points above the relegation zone, the search for a savior is underway. While the ghost of Mauricio Pochettino still haunts N17, club chiefs have identified a “Pochettino clone” as a primary target: Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.
The Numbers Behind Frank’s Failure
The decision to terminate Frank’s contract became “untenable” after a run of just two wins in 17 league matches. Even with a mounting injury list, including the long-term absence of Wilson Odobert, the statistics are horrifying for a club of Spurs’ stature.
Worst Tottenham Win Ratios (Premier League Era):
- Thomas Frank: 26.9%
- Jacques Santini: 27.3%
- Juande Ramos: 27.8%
- George Graham: 33.7%
Why Iraola is the “Pochettino Clone”
The moniker, popularized by football.london’s Alasdair Gold, isn’t just hyperbole. Iraola’s tactical blueprint defined by aggressive man-marking and an explosive 4-2-3-1 transition mirrors the high-energy “prime Pochettino” years that fans are desperate to reclaim.
Despite losing defensive stars like Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez last summer, Iraola has kept Bournemouth on an upward trajectory. The Cherries have enjoyed a stellar start to 2026, suffering only one defeat this calendar year.
A Potential Blow for Spurs
However, Spurs’ pursuit may already be hitting a brick wall. Reports from GiveMeSport suggest that while Bournemouth are bracing for an official approach, Iraola has no immediate desire to move to North London.
Sources indicate the Spaniard is wary of the current chaos at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and would prefer a return to Athletic Bilbao or a club with a more stable long-term project.
With Pochettino, Xavi, and Gareth Southgate also linked to the vacancy, Tottenham’s board cannot afford another appointment blunder. If they fail to land a tactical identity like Iraola’s, the threat of Championship football could become a terrifying reality.
Ronald Mike is a football writer covering the English Premier League, providing match analysis, tactical insight, and coverage of key rivalries and title races across the season.
