The Premier League side are in the hunt for a new manager after sacking the Argentine manager and they have plenty of exciting options to go after
Getty Images1Ralph Hasenhuttl
With Southampton sitting second bottom of the Premier League, Ralph Hasenhuttl's stock is at an all-time low.
The Saints have won just 12 of the 40 games they have played since his arrival last December and are three points from safety after 12 games this season.
Nevertheless, the 52-year-old Austrian's history with German high-flyers RB Leipzig shows that he has something to offer as a coach.
He may be an outside bet to make the leap to Tottenham this season with his current side in such bad shape, but the Southampton board are reportedly convinced he has what it takes to get them out of a sticky situation.
His passion for the high press and quick, attractive football could persuade the Spurs board that he is worth a gamble, too.
AdvertisementJordan Mansfield2Rafael Benitez
Newcastle fans were outraged when the club sacked Rafael Benitez in the summer and they are not the only ones who know the Spaniard has a lot to offer the Premier League.
West Ham are said to be eyeing him as a candidate in case they sack Manuel Pellegrini this season and many believe he will end up back in the English top-flight.
But Benitez has just started his new job in China, where he has won six of his first 14 matches, and he insists he still has a lot of work to do in the lucrative league.
He was considered a potential replacement for Arsene Wenger at Arsenal when the Frenchman left in 2018 and his name will start ringing around London again as pressure builds on Unai Emery.
Tottenham, though, could be a surprise destination for the experienced manager as the Chinese campaign ends in December.
Getty Images3Julian Nagelsmann
He may have just taken over as RB Leipzig boss in the close season, but 32-year-old Nagelsmann has reportedly caught the eye of Spurs chief Daniel Levy.
His playing career never really got off the ground, but Nagelsmann has made a big impression as a coach, having thoroughly impressed during his three-year spell in charge of Hoffenheim.
Even Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola waxed lyrical about the rising star last year.
“I’m really, really impressed [with Nagelsmann],” he said after they faced each other in the Champions League. “Taking over Hoffenheim in such a bad situation so young. He will have a lot of success in his career. He’s already at a good team in a top competition. It’s the first time we meet, but hopefully it won’t be the last.”
Nagelsmann is off to a good start with Leipzig as they sit second in the Bundesliga and just four points behind early leaders Borussia Monchengladbach.
But many believe he is destined for a move to the Premier League and Spurs will be just one of several sides keeping an eye on his progress.
Getty4Steven Gerrard
The Liverpool legend says he came close to joining Tottenham as a player before bringing an end to his career, but he could still end up at the London club.
It was Pochettino who wanted to sign him before he opted for a move to MLS side LA Galaxy because he could not bear playing against Liverpool.
"It was good to know he still rated me," he said. "I was sure I could play in the Premier League for another year but there would not have been much of a buzz doing the same thing all over again with Tottenham."
Now in his second season with Rangers, Gerrard has been regularly linked with a move back to England and Pochettino's departure has cleared the way for renewed talks with Spurs.
Gerrard has helped turn Rangers into contenders for the Scottish Premiership title as his side sit level on points with Celtic and have lost just one domestic game this season – a 2-0 defeat at home to their Glasgow rivals.