Marco Rose, Head Coach of RB Leipzig, looks on before the DFB-Pokal match between RB Leipzig and FC St. Pauli 1910 at Red Bull Arena on October 29, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)

The pros and cons of Marco Rose managing Tottenham

Originally posted on the Boy Hotspur | By The Boy | Last updated Feb 13, 2026 6:08 AM ET

The new kid in the rumour mill block this morning is Marco Rose. Matt Law of The Telegraph, and Tom Barclay of The Sun, as well as The Boy Hotspur’s Substack, have shown keen interest in the suggestion that Rose is on his way to Tottenham. Barclay believes he’s still on RB Leipzig’s payroll despite leaving the club in March.

I’m told Marco Rose is keen for his next job to be in England. Believe he’s still on RB Leipzig’s payroll despite leaving the club in March

— Tom Barclay (@TomBarclay_) February 13, 2026

This comes amid speculation linking Rose to the vacant Tottenham Hotspur manager position following the sacking of Thomas Frank. Multiple outlets report that the 49-year-old German (formerly of Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and RB Leipzig—where he was sacked in March 2025) has emerged as the bookmakers’ favourite for the Spurs job.

Sources describe Tottenham’s hierarchy viewing his aggressive pressing style and tactical discipline as a strong fit to stabilise the squad. While no formal contact has been confirmed yet, he’s seen as an uncomplicated option since he’s currently unemployed (or at least available, potentially still receiving payments from Leipzig).

Rose has no prior experience managing in England, but his high regard reputation in German football, combined with his expressed preference, has fuelled the links, especially to a Premier League club like Tottenham right now.

Playing to win

Tactical Alignment: Rose is heavily influenced by Jürgen Klopp’s style, from his early career connections, and the Red Bull philosophy (high-intensity pressing, counter-pressing, vertical/forward play, and quick transitions).

His teams typically use formations like 4-2-2-2, 4-2-3-1, or variations with a diamond midfield, emphasising aggressive high pressing, compactness defensively, and fast, direct attacks rather than slow build-up. Tottenham’s squad has pacey attackers and dynamic midfielders who could thrive in a high-energy, pressing system—something Spurs fans have craved, consistent intensity and “playing to win” mentality.

A track Record of overachieving

He excelled at RB Salzburg, winning domestic titles and making strong European runs, qualified for the Champions League with Borussia Mönchengladbach, won the DFB-Pokal with RB Leipzig (2023), and had decent points-per-game averages (around 1.85 at Leipzig and Dortmund). He’s shown he can implement an exciting, proactive style that gets results at clubs with ambitious but not always top-tier resources.

This article first appeared on the Boy Hotspur and was syndicated with permission.

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