Tottenham Hotspur are at rock bottom and things will only get worse if Igor Tudor fails to inspire the team in the final months of the season.
Of course, this assumes that the interim manager lasts until May, but given the four disastrous defeats since the sacking of Thomas Frank, that seemed decidedly unlikely.
Spurs’ mistake-filled 5-2 loss to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie did not physically damage them in the Premier League relegation battle, but the mental blow was severe.
Antonin Kinski made a lot of mistakes and was sent off after just 16 minutes in the most difficult conditions. Tudor’s decision has been met with a wave of criticism, and the Croatian’s position is already beginning to look untenable.
Latest information on Igor Tudor’s position at Spurs
Many thought the seven-goal defeat against Atletico would spell the end of Tudor’s short-lived tenure, but Tottenham correspondent Alasdair Gold has revealed that the 47-year-old will be answering questions at the club’s pre-match press conference on Thursday ahead of the Premier League trip to Anfield.
It seems unlikely that Tottenham will be able to avoid imminent relegation by keeping faith with Tudor for the rest of the season, but with the signing of Harry Redknapp unrealistic and top targets such as Roberto De Zerbi and Mauricio Pochettino only available at the end of the season, the ENIC group could be forced to make a drastic decision on the left.
Now, the newest candidate is Sean Dyche, who has been out of work since being sacked by Nottingham Forest. According to TEAMtalk, the 350-game Premier League manager is one of a number of names being considered for the post.
In fact, according to an AP News reporter, the Spurs are actually in “tentative contact” with Dyche’s agent to discuss his availability.
The English manager may not be the most exciting manager on the block, but he may be exactly what this team needs as they stare into an abyss they cannot afford to fall into.
Why Spurs need to appoint Dyche
Dyche had a reputation as something of a relegation specialist, keeping Burnley in the Premier League for six seasons before taking the reins at Everton and pulling the beleaguered Merseysiders out of danger.
Indeed, Dyche’s time at Goodison Park ultimately proved hollow, but he replaced Frank Lampard’s sinking ship and brought clarity to the club, subsequently getting the team back on its feet.
The difference between his coaching style and Dyche’s is night and day. Tudor may adopt a forward strategy, but it hasn’t worked at all in N17 and perhaps the players need someone who understands the Premier League and what it takes to beat the opposition in the battle for survival.
And after all, Dyche has managed 350 games in England’s top flight, with his brief spell at Nottingham Forest earlier this season winning four of his first eight league games, including away to Liverpool and a 3-0 win over Frank’s Tottenham.
Tottenham suffered a crushing defeat in the Champions League on Tuesday due to their own error-filled performance. But this has been a recurring theme throughout the Premier League campaign and could play a central role in their fall from the second tier.
There are some half-hearted claims that Redknapp will return to the Spurs dugout, but the iconic English coach is 79 years old, so it would probably be a bad move to come out of retirement and be drafted into the middle of a tough relegation battle.
Most errors in the Premier League (25/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
club | Number of goals conceded | error |
Aston Villa | 34 | 10 |
tottenham | 46 | 9 |
Fulham | 43 | 8 |
Nottom Forest | 43 | 7 |
wolf | 52 | 7 |
burnley | 58 | 7 |
But Dyche enforces similar old-school principles that Tottenham could benefit from, returning a semblance of confidence to the dressing room and a unified focus on fighting away from the danger zone. After all, Tudor has so far proven incompetent in that regard.
The reality of Tottenham’s position has finally come to light on the lower boards, but they still back Tudor with time running out.
Drafting Dyche may not be the most attractive option at the Lilywhites’ disposal, but these are desperate times and desperate measures are being called for.
Dyche is a specialist in avoiding crisis at the bottom of the table, with Tottenham in serious danger of being relegated from the top of the table. With Tudor seemingly unable to muster his strength, the experienced Premier League manager could be the perfect option.
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