Where do Spurs go from here? Five options to replace Pochettino

Just five and a half months after leading Tottenham to the brink of European glory in Madrid, Mauricio Pochettino has been relieved of his duties as manager.

The footballing world may be scratching their heads given the giant strides Spurs took under Pochettino, but with the club languishing in 14th position in the Premier League table and without a PL win on the road since January, Daniel Levy has seen fit to act.

You can bet this wasn’t a decision taken with any haste, and he is sure to have had his eye on potential successors before pulling the trigger. Here, we take a look at five possible candidates to fill the void at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Jose Mourinho:

Photo: Getty Images

Given the way his Manchester United reign came crashing down last December, some Spurs fans may be a bit disenchanted when they look at the current favourites for the vacancy.

Mourinho’s last real success came in leading Chelsea to the title in 2014/15, and, although his two-and-a-half-years at Old Trafford saw him register three pieces of silverware, his tactics were regularly questioned and his methods seen as increasingly outdated.

Daniel Levy may well have eyes on his trophy cabinet though, as he looks to cement the legacy of what has been a brilliant Tottenham team to watch with a trophy. A serial winner could be the next move.

Eddie Howe

Photo: Football 365

Much more in keeping with Pochettino’s style of play, Eddie Howe has regularly been talked about as making the step-up from Bournemouth since he took them into the Premier League in 2015.

He continues to go about his business the south coast, combining stylish counter-attacking playing with a solid defence. He might not be the safest pair of hands on the list but would surely jump at the chance to test himself at a higher level. With a bit more money to spend, who knows what he could achieve?

Massimiliano Allegri:

Photo: Lega Serie A

The Italian tactician left Juventus this summer having presided over five years of domestic dominance, winning five Serie A titles and four Coppa Italias. A coach who is untested outside of his homeland, Allegri’s record is nonetheless impressive.

He has been linked with Premier League jobs in the past (notably Arsenal), but has never shown a willingness to take the leap. The appointment would be a massive coup for Spurs, perhaps finally delivering them the consistency required for Premier League glory.

Julian Nagelsmann

Photo: Matthias Kern/Getty Images

The young German coach has a big reputation on the continent, steering Hoffenheim to their first ever group-stage appearance in the Champions League last year. Having moved to RB Leipzig in the summer, this one might seem a bit far-fetched, but the style of play he brings coupled with an ability to improve young players would certainly appeal to a club with a raft of young talent.

Rafael Benitez

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Finally, a man seemingly linked with every Premier League vacancy nowadays. Benitez is currently operating in China with Dalian Yifang having worked miracles at Newcastle for three years. He had his hands tied on Tyneside, working on a shoestring budget.

He recently indicated a willingness to return to England, and boasts an impressive resume that includes two top-flight league titles, a Champions League winners medal and numerous cup wins throughout his career. This one could possibly be a strong second choice option should Spurs be knocked back by anyone else.