Another setback for Spurs - Bournemouth make move to secure future of reported target to replace Postecoglou

Bournemouth owner Bill Foley is set to fly in for talks with manager Andoni Iraola over a new contract. Iraola’s current deal with the Cherries expires at the end of next season, however, he is set to be offered fresh terms amid speculation surrounding interest from Tottenham. Ange Postecoglou’s future at Spurs is in huge doubt as they near the end of a miserable season and Iraola is reportedly a potential target to succeed him.

Iraola led Bournemouth to a 1-0 win over Fulham on Monday, a result that boosted their hopes of securing the best Premier League points tally in the club’s history and keeping alive the possibility of European football for the first time. Bournemouth have impressed with an intense, attractive style of play and are eighth on 48 points, six shy of Chelsea in sixth.

Their performances have been in marked contrast to those of Tottenham, whose 4-2 loss at Wolves on Sunday marked their 17th Premier League defeat of the season. Postecoglou’s job is seemingly hanging by a thread, with the Europa League the only possible salvation for both him and Spurs.

Bournemouth can afford to have optimism of reaching a positive resolution in their talks with Iraola, with a report in The Daily Telegraph claiming he is “inclined” to stay at the Vitality Stadium.

The immediate prospects for Iraola at Bournemouth look a lot brighter than they would at Spurs, with his side in an excellent spot to at least be playing in the Conference League next season.

“Definitely it's alive,” Iraola said after the win over Fulham about their season and their hopes of European football. “We have six games to play and if the season finishes today, I think we go to Europe.”

Tottenham face the biggest game of their season on Thursday in the Europa League quarter-finals as they head to Germany to face Eintracht Frankfurt with their tie perfectly poised at 1-1 after the first leg. Win, and they can retain hope of winning the trophy and securing Champions League qualification. Lose, and the focus will likely turn to finding Postecoglou’s successor. It appears increasingly unlikely that successor will be Iraola, whose side next face Crystal Palace in another tricky test of their European credentials.