Tottenham and Bournemouth came close to signing LaLiga boss praised by Jose Mourinho, Luis Enrique and Diego Simeone

TOTTENHAM and Bournemouth almost landed former Real Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil after he played the “best football” in LaLiga. Alguacil, 55, spent seven years in charge of Sociedad where he won Copa del Rey in 2020 – the club’s first trophy in 34 years – and took them from 15th place to the Last 16 of the Champions League and Europa League. Tottenham and Bournemouth wanted to sign Imanol Alguacil Credit: Getty Images – Getty Spurs and Bournemouth kept tabs on Alguacil after he left Real Sociedad Credit: 2025 PA Media Under the Basque head coach, the Spanish outfit played highly entertaining football and was also credited for building the third best defence in LaLiga for several years. That led to praise from some of the best managers in the world, such as Real Madrid‘s Jose Mourinho, Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique and Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! And SunSport can reveal Tottenham and Bournemouth tried to sign the Spanish tactician after he left Anoeta in 2025. Spurs explored the possibility of landing Alguacil in May 2025 before hiring Thomas Frank and suffering their worst ever Premier League campaign that saw them just avoiding relegation. Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho praised Alguacil’s work at Sociedad Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique said Alguacil played the best football in LaLiga Credit: AP:Associated Press Bayer Leverkusen were also interested during that time as they saw him as Xabi Alonso‘s potential replacement, while Sevilla and Porto eyed him as well. SunSport can confirm a report from Olympiacos Roundtable claiming the Cherries then kept tabs on the Sociedad legend, who also spent eight years with the club as a player in the 90s after rising through the ranks in the academy, last summer. Bournemouth identified him as the ideal replacement for Andoni Iraola after he announced his departure in April. In fact, Alguacil is undefeated in all of his six matches against Iraola, 44, – who took over at Liverpool – as he beat the ex-Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano boss five times. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK However, SunSport understand the timing wasn’t right for the manager and Bournemouth went with Marco Rose. The Premier League duo were especially impressed with his work developing stars like Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Mikel Oyarzabal, Alexander Isak and Robin Le Normand. Alguacil had been a free agent since leaving Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Shabab in February. But he has now found a new club in Olympiacos, who have just shockingly parted ways with legendary boss Jose Luis Mendilibar. Alguacil’s record of 153 wins and 95 losses in 330 matches at Sociedad saw Mourinho, 63, admitting he struggled to find a weakness in his team after facing him as Roma manager. Diego Simeone admired Alguacil’s work at Sociedad as he established an identity at the club Credit: Alamy Bournemouth wanted Alguacil to replace former manager Andoni Iraola Credit: Getty Images – Getty The ex-Manchester United and Chelsea boss said: “It’s difficult to find weaknesses in Real Sociedad. Imanol is a very good coach; he has a very well-prepared team. “In addition to the quality they have, they are also capable of changing systems from one match to another or even during the same game.” Enrique, 56, stated Sociedad played the most impressive football in all of LaLiga under Alguacil, whom he faced as PSG boss. The back-to-back European champion said: “What a great team, what a way to compete! “They are wonderful. I’ll tell you something: Real Sociedad is the Spanish team that plays the best football, without any doubt. Imanol Alguacil deserves congratulations.” And Simeone, 56, praised Alguacil for establishing a sense of identity at Sociedad, whom he led to fourth place in LaLiga three years ago – the club’s highest finish in a decade. The Argentinean tactician, who lost three times to the Spaniard, said: “He has done an enormous and spectacular job since taking charge of the team. He has a clearly defined identity and it’s a pleasure to watch them play.” Comment now