Former Tottenham ace ‘happy’ if Levy snatches Leeds’ 40-year-old manager target

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Former Tottenham Hotspur forward Terry Gibson admits he would be ‘quite happy’ to see departing Rayo Vallecano coach Andoni Iraola replace Antonio Conte at the Premier League underachievers. 

Earlier this week, the 40-year-old former Spain international confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in La Liga. Andoni Iraola was always expected to leave high-flying Rayo when his contract expires in June.  

And, after revealing that Leeds United had attempted to lure him to Elland Road, a man who still has unfancied Rayo dreaming of a European spot with just one league game remaining has now announced that he will not be sticking around for a third season in Vallecas. 

But where next for a coach who’s ‘incredible brand of football’ and his ability to create a side far greater than the sum of its parts have led to comparisons with his former Athletic Bilbao mentor Marcelo Bielsa? 

Should Tottenham Hotspur consider Andoni Iraol?

Leeds could come calling again; Sam Allardyce’s interim deal expiring after relegation to the Championship. Iraola has also been linked with a return to San Mames or a potential switch to Villarreal. 

Spanish football expert and one-time Tottenham ace Gibson believes Iraola could be a potentially inspired appointment for the London giants too, though he accepts that Daniel Levy is unlikely to take a punt on a man who was coaching in the lower leagues with CD Mirandes as recently as 2020.

“There’s still a question mark over where he is going to go. It’s a difficult one,” Gibson says on El Tel and Jon’s La Liga Weekly podcast. 

“I think he is capable of managing a team in the Premier League. I’m a Spurs fan. If Andoni Iraola got the job at Spurs, I would be quite happy to be honest but I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

According to The Sun, Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou is now the clear frontrunner to become Tottenham’s next head coach. The 57-year-old Greece-born Australian could even be unveiled in the English capital as early as next week.