As Pep Guardiola’s future at Manchester City remains shrouded in uncertainty, the club might just disrupt Tottenham Hotspur’s long-term plans with calculated precision.
Manchester City could set their sights on Ange Postecoglou should Pep Guardiola decide to depart next year, and it appears the Tottenham Hotspur boss would be open to the idea.
Previously, Postecoglou dismissed rumors linking him to Liverpool and, more recently, the England managerial position. When Jurgen Klopp announced his intention to leave Liverpool, Postecoglou’s name quickly surfaced as a potential replacement. The Australian coach, however, firmly rejected these speculations, stating he had only just begun his tenure at Tottenham. Eventually, Arne Slot was appointed at Anfield instead. Similarly, when Gareth Southgate revealed his decision to step down as England manager, Postecoglou swiftly dismissed any association with the role.
Yet, with Guardiola increasingly likely to exit Manchester City at the end of the new season, Postecoglou is already being mentioned as a possible successor. The former Celtic manager might find it hard to resist the allure of leading the champions if offered the opportunity.
The Telegraph reports that Tottenham are confident Postecoglou won’t be tempted by the England job. However, they acknowledge that the City role could be the one position that might lure the 58-year-old away from north London.
Guardiola has himself hinted at a possible departure, which could leave Tottenham anxious. Despite falling short of a top-four finish, Postecoglou has invigorated Spurs’ fanbase with an exciting brand of attacking football, even after the departure of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich. Optimism abounds as Spurs aim for Champions League qualification and silverware this season.
When asked about managing England, Postecoglou recently said, “I was having a nap this afternoon. I have no idea. I’m the Tottenham manager and I’m determined to bring success to this club. That’s where my focus is.”
He similarly brushed off speculation about the Liverpool job last February, saying, “I may be on a shortlist. I don’t think I want to say anything about that because I don’t think that’s ever going to enter my brain space for what my priorities in life and profession are right now.”
Interestingly, Postecoglou has yet to comment on the prospect of managing City. Guardiola remains undecided about his future at the Etihad Stadium, with his contract expiring in 2025.
After winning the Premier League, Guardiola remarked, “The reality is I am closer to leaving than staying. We have talked with the club – my feeling is that I want to stay now.
“I will stay next season and during the season we will talk. But eight or nine years – we will see.
“What I want for my players is to enjoy two or three days [of this title success] and then we have two days to prepare for the final. But right now I don’t know what exactly the motivation is to do it [next season] because it’s difficult to find it when everything is done.
“But knowing the players and myself, I know that when we are there we will say why should we not win today? Why should we not work as much as possible to do what we have to do? And I know we are going to do it [work].”
