Tottenham’s search for a new permanent manager is expected to begin this summer, at which point Spurs would ideally still be in the Premier League.
Spurs identify new manager target amid disastrous campaign
North London residents are in crisis and the search for a permanent manager could prove difficult.
Igor Tudor is still anchoring the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium dugout on an interim basis, having been handed the reins after being shown the door in February after Thomas Frank took over after just eight months.
Despite a poor record under Frank, winning just over a quarter of all games, Tudor has done nothing to inspire confidence since taking over.
4-1 to Arsenal, 2-1 to Fulham…Spurs are now 10 games without a win in the Premier League in 2026 and sit just four points above the drop zone.
The club, which won the Europa League less than a year ago under coach Ange Postecoglou, is currently fighting to stay in the top flight. This is one of the most extraordinary collapses seen in English football in recent memory.
The confusion is equally evident off the pitch.
Tottenham considering replacing Mauricio Pochettino with Arsenal legend as manager
Spurs are considering their next permanent head coach after Igor Tudor.
Fabio Paratici left in February after returning from a long suspension from FIFA, but left for Fiorentina three months later, harshly criticizing Spurs along the way. The club has no permanent co-sporting director, no permanent manager and no clear identity.
Tottenham are reportedly stepping up their search for a new manager, with Dougie Freedman one of many options, but the financial situation could take longer to resolve.
Mauricio Pochettino remains the number one target and the story of a hero’s return is sure to appeal to his adoring supporters, with the Argentine said to be keen on the idea.
Andoni Iraola, whose work at Bournemouth has been widely praised, had been mentioned as a candidate, but there are growing signs that Iraola may indeed sign a new contract at the Vitality Stadium and continue to build on what he started on the south coast.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Roberto De Zerbi is one of the main candidates to take over at Spurs, while some media sources are even discussing a possible move for Arsenal legend Cesc Fabregas.
Borussia Dortmund desperate to prevent Niko Kovac from leaving Tottenham
So back to Niko Kovac.
Reports from Germany claim that Tottenham have expanded their defense network across Europe and have already made contact with the 54-year-old Borussia Dortmund manager.
The Croatian has made no secret of his desire to manage in the Premier League, and on paper the timing looks interesting as he enters the final year of his contract with Dortmund in the summer.
However, there is a major hurdle.
According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Dortmund have no intention of making things easy.
Kovac has been under pressure from supporters following the Champions League exit to Atalanta, but the club hierarchy maintains strong confidence in the manager despite the consequences, which German outlet Bild described as severe financial losses worth nearly £10m.
Indeed, Dortmund are thought to be willing to do everything in their power to keep him.
That leaves Spurs in a difficult position, with Dortmund desperately trying to keep the title-winning former Bayern Munich manager from leaving for the N17.
They want Kovac, Dortmund are determined not to let him go, and signing first-choice Pochettino is far from a deal. Another uncertain summer is upon us.
Former Tottenham and Crystal Palace manager notes that Paratici’s successor will be given a ‘key say’ regarding the next manager
The Lilywhites are making more changes in the boardroom.
