Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Kane's future, replacing Lloris, and a new identity - what Postecoglou must do at Spurs

talksport.com, 6 June 2023, 19:00
Tottenham's hunt for a new manager finally came to an end as Ange Postecoglou quit Celtic to become the first Australian to take charge of a Premier League team.

talkSPORT understands Spurs were always willing to bide their time in the search for Antonio Conte's successor, but what jobs are at the top of Postecoglou's in-tray?

Keep Harry Kane

Chairman Daniel Levy has made it abundantly clear he is not willing to entertain offers for Harry Kane from Premier League rivals.

This hasn't stopped Manchester United from making Kane their top summer striker target, but it is very unlikely Levy chances his stance and would rather let him leave for free next summer.

The businessman in Levy could tempt him to cash in if Real Madrid follow up their interest with a mega-money bid.

That would be a disaster for Postecoglou as Kane is simply irreplaceable.

MORE ON TOTTENHAM

SIMON JORDAN: Postecoglou's speeches won't win Spurs titles - look at Arteta and Arsenal

The Celtic backroom staff new Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou is set to bring to London

Tottenham's trump card is that new-dad-to-be Kane is settled in London and has his sights set on breaking Alan Shearer's Premier League goalscoring record.

If Postecoglou can convince the England captain he is the right man to turn Spurs' fortunes around, he is highly plausible that he will not push for a move.

Keeping Kane will also be key to persuading potential new signings to make the move to north London.

Find a new goalkeeper

Hugo Lloris has publicly admitted he wants to leave this summer, and Spurs will not stand in his way.

Most read in Football

Arsenal optimistic about Rice transfer amid Bayern Munich and Man United reservations

Tottenham fans get excited as mic'ed-up Ange Postecoglou training clip goes viral

Man United in talks to sell goalkeeper Henderson to Nottingham Forest permanently

Tottenham announce treble-winning Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou as new manager

The French World Cup winner has been a brilliant servant, but his powers are not what they once were, and he has become error-prone.

The 35-year-old Fraser Forster is clearly not the long-term solution and was only ever recruited as a budget back-up to Lloris.

Brentford's David Raya is among the leading contenders to replace Lloris, but the Bees are driving a hard bargain even though the Spaniard is into the last year of his contract.

Raya's fellow countryman Robert Sanchez, who has fallen out of favour at Brighton, is another potential option.

Excite the fans and rebuild the culture

Tottenham supporters were more apathetic than angry by the end of the season, which is a very damning reflection.

Those long-suffering fans were bored to tears by the football Antonio Conte served up and most of the players were relieved when he was fired.

Throughout their 72-day search for a successor, the Spurs hierarchy were determined to find a coach who would bring back an exciting, expansive style while building a winning culture.

Spurs have tried going down the route of hiring 'big-name' managers like Conte and Jose Mourinho and it has not worked out.

They believe Postecoglou's work on the training ground to improve players is akin to Mauricio Pochettino and see the 56-year-old as a project manager, hence the dishing out of an almost unprecedented four-year deal.

When last summer's transfer window slammed shut, Levy believed he had assembled a squad capable of challenging for at least a Champions League place.

Too many of those signings underwhelmed so it will be up to Postecoglu to get the best out of them.

Midfielder Yves Bissouma and Djed Spence, in particular, are likely to be given a fresh start.

Put his own stamp on the squad

One of the pitfalls of Spurs constantly changing managers is that they have assembled a bloated squad.

Postecoglou's arrival on a long-term deal gives them the perfect opportunity to finally move on some of those expensive cast-offs.

As well as Lloris, Spurs will not stand in Ivan Perisic's way if the veteran Croatian indicates a desire to move on.

Eric Dier only has a year left on his contract and Postecoglou may wish to look for a younger, more dynamic central defender.

Davinson Sanchez has proved he cannot be relied upon and is another fighting for his future while Giovani Lo Celso does not appear to be part of Spurs' plans after spending the last 18 months out on loan.

Being homegrown, Harry Winks is a player Spurs can sell for a decent fee to raise funds for Postecolglu's rebuild.

Given his success in Glasgow, it is inevitable Postecoglou will be linked with some of his old Celtic players.

Read More on talkSPORT

Boxer breaks Australian comedian's rib with body shot after 11 seconds in the ring

Mourinho tells Taylor he's a 'f****** disgrace' after waiting in car park to confront ref

The 33-goal Japan striker Kyogo Furuhashi seems the most likely to follow across the border.

Spurs are not expected to be amongst the Premier League's biggest spenders this summer so Postecoglu will have to prove his ability to unearth gems on a budget.

Show more

Top News

26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that Pep Guardiola's side should look to sign a new right-back and left-back in the summer transfer window. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Pundit Don Goodman has tipped Ipswich Town to make a move for Peterborough United winger Kwame Poku should they be relegated to the Championship. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Premier League stars Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister got on the scoresheet as Argentina celebrated their World Cup qualification with a dominant 4-1 victory over rivals Brazil. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has reportedly attracted interest from Eintracht Frankfurt over a potential summer move. 26 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea Women and Manchester City Women will complete their quadruple header when they face off in Thursday's Women's Champions League quarter-final second leg. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Highly-sought-after Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly ruled out a possible move to Nottingham Forest this summer. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk On Thursday, Barcelona Women will face Wolfsburg Women in the second leg of the Women's Champions League quarter-final tie. 25 March 2025 talksport.com There may be a sky full of stars at Wembley in September, but there will be a pitch full of stars two hours north. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Real Madrid will be a force to be reckoned with next season. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona defender Inigo Martinez will be fit for Thursday's rescheduled La Liga clash against Osasuna, although Pau Cubarsi faces a battle to prove his fitness in time for the home fixture. 25 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT host Andy Goldstein could barely conceal his shock following a rather bold claim from co-host Darren Bent. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Southampton's Tyler Dibling could be at the centre of a transfer battle in the summer following reports that RB Leipzig have contacted the player's camp. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will return to La Liga action for Thursday's rearranged meeting with Osasuna at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany has encouraged the Citizens to prioritise signing at least two "technically brilliant" midfielders in the summer transfer window. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Trent Alexander-Arnold is certainly not the first and won't be the last player to depart his boyhood club. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Contrary to rumours earlier this week, Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite has not stated he is unsettled at the club, according to a new report. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Chelsea are set to come up against a former player at this summer's World Cup who has a staggering trophy record as a coach. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Alisha Lehmann claims that online abuse remains an issue despite her ever-growing popularity. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Ally McCoist has omitted two of the Premier League's most celebrated stars from his all-time top three attackers from the division. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Mohamed Salah undisputedly has a greater Premier League legacy than Cristiano Ronaldo, Reds expert David Lynch has argued. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly contacted Olympiacos over potentially signing their teenage sensation Charalampos Kostoulas. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is not in active talks over a move to Saudi Arabia, talkSPORT understands. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly prepared to enter talks with Gabriel Magalhaes over a new contract at the Emirates. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Kevin De Bruyne and Vinicius Jr are among SIX marquee signings being plotted by the Saudi Pro League this summer, talkSPORT understands. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Stan Collymore has issued a passionate defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold amid fan backlash over his move to Real Madrid. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho is reportedly dreaming of a move to Borussia Dortmund over the summer. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Following the path that Michael Owen and Steve McManaman once ventured down, Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly been unable to resist the bright lights of the Bernabeu. 25 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona have reportedly entered talks with the representatives of Atalanta BC attacker Ademola Lookman. 25 March 2025 talksport.com Jack Grealish can rediscover his best form at one specific Premier League club if he leaves Manchester City this summer.