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The 5 favorites to replace Mourinho as the next Tottenham manager

Jose Mourinho, Tottenham
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After Tottenham’s decision to sack Mourinho, it’s time to check out five potential candidates to replace the Portuguese manager.

Tottenham are on the lookout for a new manager after sacking Jose Mourinho on Monday morning.

Former midfielder Ryan Mason has taken charge on an interim basis until the end of the season, with the club down in seventh-place in the Premier League and just six days away from a Carabao Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley.

So, without further ado, let’s check out the five leading candidates who could be on Spurs’ radar.

Julian Nagelsmann

Julian Nagelsmann - RB Leipzig
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The 33-year-old German is one of the most exciting young prospects in football management.

Nagelsmann has impressed in the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim and currently RB Leipzig. He’s even been linked to Real Madrid in the past and is reportedly on Tottenham and Bayern Munich’s shortlist as their next manager.

Beating Bayern won’t be easy, but Nagelsmann has expressed an interest in the Premier League in the past.

He has even spoken to Chelsea star Timo Werner about the league and recently refused to rule out a move to England in the future.

Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers - Leicester City
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The Leicester City boss is the full package in terms of Premier League experience, style of football, and ability to extract everything from his squads. He also worked as a youth coach at Chelsea under Mourinho.

The only thing missing from Rodgers’ CV is silverware in England. He enjoyed a trophy-laden spell at Scottish giants Celtic between 2016 and 2019, but he hasn’t been able to deliver yet in the English top-flight. Although he did take Liverpool to within two points of league glory in 2013/14.

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy reportedly rates Rodgers highly, and it’s easy to see why.

Erik ten Hag

Erik Ten Hag

117 wins in 160 games (D20 L23) is an impressive record indeed.

Ten Hag has been on the radar since memorably leading Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals in 2018/19. Spurs may have knocked them out, but it took nothing away from the Dutchman’s achievement.

With only a year left on his contract with Ajax, Ten Hag’s future will come under doubt. The 51-year-old appears content to continue. But with Bayern Munich and Spurs both possible options, he could be tempted into a new challenge.

Nuno Espirito Santo

Nuno Espirito Santo - Wolves
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According to the Express, Wolves manager Nuno could be an option.

Levy is apparently a keen admirer of Nuno, who has taken Wolves back from the Championship all the way to the Europa League.

This season hasn’t been the Portuguese’s finest, but his record in the Premier League is impressive. Back-to-back seventh-place finishes came in his first two seasons, after all.

Although Nuno’s counter-attacking approach at Molineux is like Mourinho’s, which Spurs may not be so keen on anymore.

Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard, Arsenal

The Liverpool legend took charge of Rangers two-and-a-half years ago as a complete managerial novice.

Fast forward to 2021, however, he has ended Celtic’s domestic dominance by ending Rangers’ decade-long wait for a 55th Scottish Premiership title.

Gerrard also has Europa League experience, having guided the club to the knockout stages in the last two seasons. His progress, therefore, has naturally made him a favorite to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

That said, chances of Gerrard taking the reins in north London are an outside bet at best.

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