Tottenham pick first-choice manager to replace Postecoglou – but Real Madrid issue develops

Tottenham could reportedly face competition from Real Madrid if they try to appoint Andoni Iraola, with a separate report revealing that another top Premier League club are looking at the Bournemouth manager.

Iraola has been superb as the Bournemouth boss since he was appointed in the role at the Vitality Stadium in the summer of 2023. While the Cherries initially did not do well under the 42-year-old Spaniard, they are now flying and are in the race for the Champions League spots in the Premier League table.

TEAMtalk’s transfer correspondent Fraser Fletcher reported in January that Iraola is one of the managers that Tottenham would consider if they were to sack Ange Postecoglou.

TalkSPORT reported this week that the young Spaniard is the top candidate to replace Postecoglou should Spurs decide to sack the former Celtic boss.

However, Tottenham are now facing a major headache in terms of hiring Iraola, as Spanish giants Madrid are eyeing the impressive Bournemouth manager.

According to The Daily Mail, Madrid have put Iraola on their shortlist of managers should Carlo Ancelotti leave the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season.

Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso is the other main candidate for the managerial role at Madrid.

The Daily Mail has noted that Bayer’s CEO, Fernando Carro, said this week that he expects Alonso to stay at the German club beyond the end of the season.

With Iraola having just 18 months left on his current contract at Bournemouth, Madrid would fancy their chances of tempting the 42-year-old former Athletic Bilbao and Spain international right-back to the Bernabeu.

Madrid are doing well under Ancelotti at the moment and could win LaLiga and the Champions League this season, just as they did in the 2023-24 campaign.

However, there was speculation in the Spanish media in January that Ancelott has decided to leave his role at Los Blancos at the end of the season.